MAHS graduates cheer on the Stampede

by Rachel Swick
Press And Journal
4/29/2009

Two Middletown Area High School graduates have used their cheerleading experience with the Raiders to move on and cheer on a professional level.

Mia Lowry, a 2004 graduate, and Emily Smith, a 2005 graduate, both cheer for the Harrisburg Stampede, the local team for the American Indoor Professional Football Association.

“I have taken and enjoyed many memories from high school and have been able to continue an involved lifestyle with my friends and community,” said Lowry, 23, who was never a cheerleader for the school. “I was a ballet, jazz and tap dancer since the age of 4 and obviously still dance frequently to this day. I have always had a passion and love for dance.”

Lowry joined the Stampede cheerleaders to continue her love of performing and also to network.
“The Harrisburg Stampede plays out of the Farm Show and it is an inexpensive way to spend a Saturday night with friends and family, enjoying local sports and entertainment,” said Lowry. “Our games are fast-paced and lots of fun.”

Lowry works for the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania as a front office supervisor and lives in Harrisburg. She plans to return to school to get a degree as a natural/holistic health practitioner.
Joining Lowry on the Stampede cheer squad is Emily Smith, another MAHS graduate.
Smith grew up in Middletown and still lives here.

“My favorite memory of high school was being able to be on the sidelines as a varsity cheerleader,” said Smith, 21. “I remember going to football games on Friday nights with my grandfather and watching the cheerleaders perform. This always made me want to work really hard, so that one day he would be standing there watching me, instead of us watching them. Making the varsity team in high school was one of the best days in my high school memories.”

Smith cheered for four years in high school, then gave it up for nearly two years after graduation.
“Then I decided I couldn’t live without it anymore,” said Smith, who decided to join the Piranha Frenzy cheerleading team in 2007.

The Piranhas are the Central Penn semiprofessional football team in the North American Football League.
Smith was later approached about cheering for the Stampede and she decided to go for it.
She now cheers for both teams, and coaches middle school cheerleaders.

“This year I will be coaching a competitive team of middle school girls for Central Dauphin Youth Association,” said Smith.

She currently attends Harrisburg Area Community College and works with autistic children at an elementary school in the Central Dauphin School District.

She plans to continue her education to receive a teaching degree.
Both girls enjoy helping their communities and giving back.