Last weekend, one student from Crenshaw Christian Academy had the chance to participate in the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) All-Star football game and serve as an AISA All-Star cheerleader at the Crampton Bowl in Montgomery.

Summer Stephens, a senior, has attended school at CCA since she was three years old. In her time there, she has enjoyed the opportunities she has been given, and was honored to be able to travel to Montgomery as an All-Star.

“It was so fun. I got to meet so many people from different schools; it was a learning experience,” she said.

“The man over the athletic division said you’ve been playing against these people your whole life, and now you get to meet them. These girls I’ve been competing against since seventh grade, I finally got to meet them and talk with them.”

In order to be considered for this position, interested seniors were asked to try out with a certain routine set. According to Stephens, out of the 80 who tried out, 24 were chosen; she was the only CCA representative.

“I was so honored and ecstatic about being picked. When we got there, we started practicing right away on materials that were new to us and materials we learned at camp,” she said.

“I remember we sat and talked about how we do different things. But after seeing all of the differences, we saw the same things. We all have the same problems, and hearing how they worked it out and the similarities was fun.”

The first night after a day filled with practices, the students were treated to a get together hosted at the Montgomery Biscuits Stadium. While there, students had the chance to mix and mingle and enjoy food and entertainment.

Students were also treated to a luncheon where scholarships were awarded and students were recognized for their achievements.

Going into the last stretch of her senior year, Stephens looks back on her time at CCA and is thankful for every moment.

“This is my family. I’ve literally grown up with these people. The people in my class are my brothers and sisters. I’m going to miss them terribly,” she said.

“It’s so family-oriented here. Another thing is that we have chapel here and a Bible class. I know when I go off to college, I won’t get to study the Bible like that as an actual class, so that’s one thing I will miss. I feel so safe here, and I trust and know everybody here.”