BETH COOLEY CHEERLEADING AWARD

Penter-Hickman, Class of 1973, is this year’s recipient of the Beth Cooley Cheerleading Award. A phenomenal cheerleader during her five years as a Viking, Penter-Hickman was involved in many activities during her tenure at Lakeside. She danced for Carolyn Fleetwood Studios for 10 years, and was a member of the Jr. Beta Club and Jr. Civitan Club. She was also a Senator for grades 9-12, was involved with Young Life and placed second in the state typing competition in 1973. During her senior year, the Vikings cheerleading team won the Grand Champions at the International Cheerleading Foundation. She is thankful for all of the life lessons cheerleading taught her and the friendships she made over the years as a Viking. After graduating from Lakeside, Penter-Hickman attended Auburn University before transferring to Murray State University where she majored in Business Education. She later worked as a legal assistant for five years and then became an assistant to the principal at Trickum Middle School for 10 years. Today, you can find her swimming, playing pickleball, hiking, or cooking one of her favorite meals. She is happily married to Mark Hickman, a fellow Lakeside graduate from 1972 and Hall of Fame inductee from the Class of 2021. Together they have two children, Jeff and Karen, who both played college basketball. They have five grandchildren (Benjamin, Caroline, Braun, Shay, and Cam) and currently reside in Jasper, Georgia.