Teen recognized with award after serving as school’s only cheerleader
There was a special ceremony honoring a Southeast High School student Wednesday. It's called the With or Without You Award.
By Alan Shope
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KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — There was a special ceremony honoring a Southeast High School student Wednesday.
It’s called the With or Without You Award.
“Our principal Mr. Herron had come up with that motto saying that “hey, we’re going to have school with you or without you. If you have any other type of agenda or other focus, it’s not going to happen,” Southeast class of 1980 graduate Stephen Diamond said.
This is a message the class of 1980 took to heart, pushing many of them to graduate and succeed in life. On Wednesday, the class started the new award and college scholarship.
They gave it to Southeast Junior Jaziah Rowe, who is not only graduating a year early but was nationally recognized earlier this year when she was the school’s only cheerleader.
“The bravery speaks for itself,” Southeast class of 1980 graduate Tracy Johnson said.
The school started the year with six cheerleaders. By basketball season, they all left the team, except for Rowe, who continued to cheer at every game.
“We wanted to be the cheerleaders today for our standalone cheerleader,” Johnson said.
Rowe got the award, a gift card and some money for college. She says it was tough, but she’s glad she did it.
“Scary, nerve-racking, you know. You’re always thinking about what people think. This is what I wanna do, so it really didn’t matter,” Rowe said.
The soon-to-be graduate plans to go into nursing and healthcare management. The class of 80 wants her to know it’s about more than just the award — it’s about mentoring her as she gets older.
The class says they will ensure she has the tools to succeed well into the future.
Rowe plans to go to nursing school in St. Louis.
She’s very grateful for the award.
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