The Dynos Legacy Cheerleading Team has wrapped up another successful season of competition, learning, growing and community involvement.
    This has been the fifth year the group has been offering competitive cheerleading. Its origins were as a pom squad cheering for the Titans. The next season they became a competitive gym team and were affiliated with DVSS. In June of 2018, the group struck out and became an independent gym.
    “We started our own little gym team for the little ones, and it went over so well we posed the questions to parents, asking them what they would think about us becoming a gym team and it was unanimous” said coach Marquita Mcneice.
    “We are our own entity now which is nice.”
    Mcneice explains the program has been great for the young athletes.
    “Why we started it was there were a lot of girls who had low self-esteem and weren’t really physically active. They needed something to do to be physical but in a different way. If they weren’t into team sports, at least they could be involved in something like this. It really helped to build self-esteem,” said Mcneice. “They have become extremely close and are like a little family now.”
    She adds there is a place for anybody on the team, male or female and all body types.
    As they were building, coach and gym founders, Mcneice and Lorelei Coultes, were also honing their skills attaining the certifications they needed.
    Last season they had 18 senior cheerleaders, and in the mini-group (ages 5-11). about 27 athletes.
    The seniors competed in four competitions last season and had a strong showing, and the minis did three.
    The competition was a little bit different as a gym team. In their first competitions, they performed well, but there were not too many teams entered in their category. In the final competition in St. Albert,  they faced tough teams,  and while the result was less than what they hoped, it was a learning experience for the team and the athletes.
    Mcneice says they are also actively involved in the community. Over Easter, they held Egg My House fundraiser, where they would hide Easter eggs at homes in the community. They held a Halloween contest, along with skills camps, and last week they performed at the Roller Derby event in Drumheller. They have been invited to cheer for the Titans this coming season.
    For more information go to www.dynoscheer.com.

 
    The Drumheller Community Church celebrated a milestone with its grand opening under a new banner.
    Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle in Drumheller has been a fixture in the community for years, and for the last eight years, it has operated out of the former Central School Building in Downtown Drumheller. They have changed the name to Drumheller Community Church. Pastor Craig Randell says with the name change they are not changing affiliations.
    “We are still associated with Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, nothing has changed, We just felt as a church Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle has a long history and people know it well. But for a lot of people, what does Elim really mean? What does tabernacle really mean?” he said. “I have been here one year and so many people have asked that question.”
    “We wanted a name that was going to be community-based, we wanted a name that is going to speak to the community.”
    The name is also reflective of the service that the church provides. In the last few years since taking over the former Central School, the church has done an extensive renovation and offers a number of community services and also has space for community groups, everything from dancing to TaeKwonDo.
    “We have so many activities that happen in our building, we have daycare, Alberta Health Services, mental health drop-in and we rent space here. There is a lot going on here,” he said. We want the name to reflect what the church is about.”
    The church held its grand opening on Saturday, May 4, and there were all kinds of activities for all, including fellowship, bouncy houses, kids games, and refreshments. Mayor Heather Colberg was on hand for the official ribbon cutting.
    “We want to reach the community as a faith-based community,” said Pastor Randell.