Who’s got Lobo spirit? The Lopez Lobos Cheerleading Team, that’s who.

The squad will be somersaulting its way back onto the courts this fall.

After more than five pep-less years, cheerleading makes its triumphant return to the sidelines under the leadership of Stephanie Fowler.

The teenage ambassadors of school spirit earned their stripes in a trial by fire by attending the Association of Washington School Principals’ sponsored “CheerLeadership Camp,” which combines leadership training with the technical skills needed for cheerleading.

“It wasn’t all about who could yell the loudest,” said Fowler. “It’s a camp I really strongly believe in.”

From July 18 to 22, five Lopez Lobo girls, Anna Velazquez, Maria Velazquez, Noemi Moreno, Ani Sanburn-Bill and Autumn Miller, ​worked with leadership instructors and National Cheer Association staff to hone their skills at the camp at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash.

“They’re shining stars,” said Fowler. “I’m really proud of them.”

Fowler said the camp had 540 cheerleaders attending, with 40 coaches, 30 NCA representatives and 35 leadership staff. The Lobos cheer squad earned two leadership pins; six ribbons; the NCA stunt S.A.F.E. Award for safe performances of routines; three leadership awards; and brought home a spirit stick and the trophy for most improved. Only three of the participating teams earned the title of most improved. The spirit stick was most impressive to Fowler, however.

“This is like the golden egg,” she said. “It’s a pretty high honor.”

At the end of each day, the leaders of the camp would pass out six spirit sticks to teams that excelled during the day’s training. The Lobos earned the honor three of the five days and were allowed to bring it back with them to the island as a reward.

“Our squad always showed leadership and followed rules,” said Fowler, who credits the Lopez community, families and school staff for the girls’ success. “It says a lot of positive things about our community.”

With zero experience in cheer, the girls learned leadership and technical cheer skills alongside cheerleaders from Everett, Burien, and Mossyrock. Fowler said they were all very supportive of the budding team.

“The camp is really positive,” explained Fowler. “Everyone is there for the same thing: to learn.”

Like a plant that needed water to thrive or a butterfly waiting to spread its wings, Fowler said the girls have really blossomed. As the camp progressed, she said the girls gradually became better and better, starting with winning two white “outstanding” ribbons on the first day to winning a blue “superior” ribbon on the last day.

Fowler looks forward to working with the girls and rebuilding the cheer team, which come fall should have eight members.

“They improved. They were excited, weren’t scared and had that confidence. It was really cool,” Fowler said. “Just seeing them take that camp and get everything they could out of it – that was impressive.”