The Derby High School cheerleaders recently returned from a National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Elite summer camp. The camp was held at Emporia State University, which was home for 20 schools and over 40 squads.  The NCA selects award winners at each of the over 1,100 camps it administers around the world each summer. Founded in 1948 by L.R. Herkimer, NCA has been conducting camps for 59 years. The Derby High School cheerleaders are coached by Deb Killen, Debbie Russell and Shawna Paulin.

The DHS Cheerleaders received the following awards: National Championship Bid winner. This tremendous accomplishment is awarded to the team exemplifying the best technical skills and cheerleading techniques. This bid is extended to teams to compete at the NCA Senior and Junior High School National Championship in Orlando, FL or the NCA All-Star National Championship, held in Dallas, Texas.

The NCA Championships are the world's largest cheerleading events, bringing in over 20,000 of the nation's cheerleaders for the nation's most exciting cheerleading competition. However, the KSHSAA regulations prohibit Kansas squads from competing.

The DHS Varsity squad also received the Spirit Stick - presented to the squad showing the most sincere spirit and enthusiasm throughout the entire week at camp. At all formal evaluations, the varsity squad received Superior Ribbon Awards. The varsity girls were also recognized with a three Technical Excellence awards given to the team for superior skills in tumbling, jumps and safety, spotting and stunt technique, known as the SPOT award. Following the final evaluation, the Squad received the SPIRIT Award which is determined by all the other squads at camp. This award recognizes the squad who has added the most spirit to the camp all week. The JV squad received three Superior and three Excellence Ribbons during the week after their final evaluation as well as a Spirit Stick.

Also at the camp, all 28 squad members (from both varsity and JV) received nominations to try out for the NCA All-American Team. Never before have all squad members received nominations to try out for the All-American Team.  Derby came home with a record 16, All-American Team members. NCA All-American is considered one of the most prestigious awards in cheerleading today.  Those who tried out were judged on motion technique, jumps, tumbling, spirit and enthusiasm, voice projections and over all crowd appeal.  Those who where named to the All-American Team from JV: Morgan Arnce, Antoinette Franklin and Nikki Hall.  From the varsity squad: Elizabeth Apollo, Kylie Ashton, Alexa Hergert, Ashley Jeffrey, Alex Kilby, Lauren Kretsch, Veronica Luke, Miranda McKee, Jana Morrow, Skylar Nicholson, Hannah Riley, Tiffany Sammons and Regan Williams.  All are eligible to perform at various NCA Special Events such as the Orange Bowl in Miami or the Disney Christmas Parade in Orlando Skylar Nicholson was named NCA TOP All-AMERICAN which is awarded to the highest scoring All-American tryout at camp.  Finally all three Senior Team Captains; Jana Marrow, Hannah Riley and Regan Williams where extended applications to be NCA Instructors.

Members of the 2008-09 Panther varsity and JV Cheer Squad are Emily Anderson, Apollo, Ashton, Alyssa Gustafson, Hergert, Jeffrey, Alex Kilby, Kretsch, Luke, Amy Matzen,  McKee, Emily McMullen, Nicholson, Sammons, Shelby Verble, Morgan, Chelsea Chilcott, Emilie Clare, Franklin, Hall, Sara Harris, Paige Howell, Katie MacGregor, Tayler Powers, McKenna Wells and captains Morrow, Williams and Riley.