The Cincinnati Enquirer introduced a new voting feature for the 2026 high school sports year: The Spirit Award for cheerleaders, dance team members and their squads.
Much like the popular athlete of the week voting, school fans and friends voted on two weekly ballots (individual and team) for The Spirit Award. Only coaches can provide nominations each week, either for their squads or other teams.
This week’s vote determined The Spirit Award winners for Feb. 6, 2026.
Jadyn Earley, West Clermont High School
“The junior is on our varsity fall Cheer, Game Day Competition, and Traditional Competition teams this year. She currently holds a 4.1 GPA and is a member of our SALT (Student Athlete Leadership Team), Link Crew, Sources of Strength and the National Honor Society,” according to Amanda Samson of the cheer program.
“She’s had to encounter hard, unfair battles within the last year but remains tough as nails! Her dedication to the sport and her team has always been admirable. She truly gives 110% of herself in everything she does and her work ethic is top-notch. Our program is very lucky to have her & we hope she knows what an asset and inspiration she is to all! We are so proud of you, Jadyn!
Seton Cheer and Dance squads
The Seton varsity cheer and dance squads just won second place in the nation at the Universal Cheerleaders Association and Universal Dance Association High School Nationals in Orlando, Florida, respectively.
The Seton varsity cheerleaders won in the Small Varsity Division II Gameday Division.
“This is the first time Seton cheer has competed in nationals, and they are now the 2026 UCA Small Game Day Silver Medalists at the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando! So amazing! We are so incredibly proud of this team and coaches!” according to cheer coach Lindsay Buerger.
Not to be outdone, Seton dance also was the 2026 Small Varsity POM Silver Medalist at the UDA National Dance Team Championships in Orlando. They also clinched eighth place for Small Varsity Hip Hop.
What is the criteria for The Spirit Award?
Eligible are varsity girls and boys cheerleaders and dancers who exemplify the fruits of the spirit ‒ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – while uplifting their squads, the student body and others. Team nominations focus on squads that come together to help each other, work hard, do things right that week, show outstanding virtues when dealing with or serving others, exceed expectations to prepare something special for the school or take part in any other honorable reason they might be acknowledged.
If you win, what’s next?
Families have the option, after a win, to send in a VERY short (five to 10 seconds) thank you video from the athlete within two hours of the win for a winners’ compilation video. The video’s orientation must be vertical. Send videos by email to mlaughman@enquirer.com or through Messenger on Facebook.
The Enquirer will no longer mail certificates to schools after getting feedback that families weren’t receiving them. Alex Harrison will make digital copies of all certificates available to families by 8 a.m. the Monday after the Friday win. Families will access the PDFs through this public Dropbox link.
Once printed, families can email a photo of athletes with their certificate to mlaughman@enquirer.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Seton teams, West Clermont girl voted as Enquirer Spirit Award winners
Reporting by Melanie Laughman, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
