36-year-old Michelle Smith, of Lehigh Acres Florida has one of the most important jobs on the sidelines. For the past eight-years she’s been the head coach for the student athletes responsible for promoting school spirit.

As the current Varsity Cheer Coach at Lehigh Senior High school, Coach Smith has put both her substantial cheer and dance background as well as her teaching credentials to work. With 13 years of teaching experience working with the high school special needs students as well as 13 years of dance and five years of cheer participation, Coach Smith is perfectly suited for the job.

Her 15-member squad just finished up their fall season cheering on their Lehigh Lighting football team at the semi-regional finals. Even more, her team will be competing in their first competition in years. Coach Smith also decided to host the first ever cheer competition in their surrounding area, bringing opportunity and a challenge to the high school.

“Our motto this year is Athletes Striving to be Champions!” wrote Coach Smith on her teams venture into the competitive cheer market.

The girls and Coach Smith are working diligently to turn their program into a well-rounded and established squad that is committed to school spirit, competition as well as community service. They squad has participated in a number of community events to raise money for the hungry as well as toys for the needy this fall outside of their athletic and academic obligations.

Coach Smith has a great support group cheering on her and the girls at each and every event. Her husband and three-year-old son can often been found in the stands or by her side during events. “I have a great husband and son who support me with all the time I need to dedicate to my team,” wrote Coach Smith.

Our Coach of the Week expressed that she feels proud to work with an elite group of athletes this year as well as the years to come. Her commitment to the squad and community is most certainly a high priority. Thank you coach for the value you put in youth, athletics and your Florida community.