Cheerleading runs deep in the Moore family at Skiatook.
Tanis Moore, the mother of current cheerleader, junior Kennedy Moore, has played a big role in her daughters’ careers and in 2021 was asked if she would help form a cheer booster club and serve as a board member.
“Skiatook is a small rural community with limited funding allocated to the cheer program. Most extras not in the school athletic budget fall on the shoulders of the coach personally. I will admit at first I was hesitant, I am the type of person that likes to help but I am somewhat reserved and like to stay in the background,” Tanis said.
“Agreeing to be a part of the Booster Club has been amazingly rewarding. I am so proud to be a part of a group of Moms that truly have the best interest of the kids in mind at all times. Give us a task or request and we will find a way to make it happen. Even though our funds are somewhat limited and an ongoing challenge, we have great community support.” Kennedy is also the Vice President of the Skiatook High School junior class, is on the Student Council and is active in her church group. She’s a third generation cheerleader in the family.
“It runs deep in her blood,” Tanis said of Kennedy’s strong interest in cheerleading. “I am thankful to God for my blessed life. I have an extremely close family,” Tanis said. “My husband, Tony, is my biggest supporter. He’s always positive and encouraging. My sister, Amber, is my best friend. She is always lending her time and amazing talents to help out, whether it be making signs, t-shirts, homecoming mums, or helping with the fundraising booth at football games or our local Skiatook Pioneer Day. They both have given countless hours working right by my side and always with the response of ‘Anything for Kennedy and the Cheer Girls.’”
Being supportive of Kennedy and the Skiatook cheer program is paramount for Tanis. “I think it is so important to support your child in the activities that they are a part of,” she said. “If I can encourage anyone, just get involved even if it is a small task. You can make a difference and you might realize you have a passion that you never knew was deep inside. “I have always felt that volunteering, organizing or giving a few hours of my time makes a difference in just one girl’s life, everything has been worth it. We may never know how we impact the girls’ lives. If we raise funds to help provide items so that they can participate in something, that helps give them encouragement and pride, I have completed my task. “We only have our kids for a short time and then before you know it they are on to adulthood. My hope for Kennedy is to look back and know that Mom and Dad were there to support her in the activities she was passionate about and along the way we may have been a part of helping a few others.”
