LORMAN, Miss. — Former Alcorn State University cheerleader Airnecia Mills will once again be on the sidelines with the cheer squad, but this time as head coach, announced by director of athletics Derek Horne.
Mills was a cheerleader at Alcorn from 2010-13. She graduated Cum Laude in three years from Alcorn with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and minors in Reading and Special Education. In 2015, Mills earned her Master’s degree from Alcorn in Elementary Education and minors in Reading and Special Education.
[inArticle]
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be able to come back to my school and work with the girls. It feels good to have cheered at Alcorn and then come back to be the head coach,” Mills said. “I want to take the team to competitions to compete. I look forward to continue building the program.”
Mills Returns to Alma Mater as Head Cheerleading Coach https://t.co/oDVjpLrbmm
— Alcorn Braves Athletics (@BRAVESSPORTS) June 21, 2018
While a student, Mills was named Miss Alcorn State University 2012-13 by the student body. She served on the Student Government Association (SGA) as Miss Alcorn. Mills was also a student ambassador in addition to cheerleading.
[inArticle]
“It’s always great to be able to hire one of our own on staff, especially in a head coaching position. Coach Mills has a strong background as both a cheerleader and educator, and she’ll be a tremendous role model for the team,” Horne said. “Her enthusiasm and passion for Alcorn and cheerleading make her a great fit to lead our program.”
Mills returns to Alcorn after serving as Cheerleading Coach at Simmons High School in Hollandale, Mississippi the last two years. She’s taken the team to cheer with the Cheerleaders of America at Tulane University and with the Memphis Grizzlies.
@AriB__ Showing some of that famous first time love to the gorgeous and beautiful gals at Alcorn State! Y'all are awesome! Also, we need more purple cheer uniforms??? pic.twitter.com/VnKLdrZsgR
— All things cheer (@CollegeCheer3) December 15, 2017
Under Mills, the cheerleaders attended Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) cheer camp in Destin, Florida and at Southern Miss. They also went to the National Cheer Championship in Orlando, Florida and competed for the first time in history with MHSAA. Mills attended several coach conferences, including UCA and the 2018 MHSSA Cheer-Dance Conference.
[inArticle]
Mills also has a background in teaching. She’s worked in Special Education and English in Hollandale the last two years and also as Lead Tutor and Owner of Mills Academy in Greenville, Mississippi since 2015. Mills started her teaching career as a 1st Grade Teacher in Greenville Public School District.