DEXTER — Emma Worley and Three Rivers College cheerleading coach Kayla Sparkman have known each other for a long time.

“I’ve known Emma Kate since she was in the fifth grade,” Sparkman said. “I’ve loved watching her grow up. She’s really into theater and singing — and she loves children, so I know that she’s going to do really great in this role.”

So when Sparkman needed someone to serve as Rocky Raider, the TRC mascot, she knew who to look to.

Worley, a senior at Dexter High School, recently signed her letter of intent to serve as one of two Rocky Raiders at TRC next season. The other will be Makayla Birdwell from New Madrid County Central.

Worley is excited to serve in the role of Rocky Raider.

“I’ve been on the dance team (at Dexter) for two years,” Worley said. “They didn’t have a dance program at Three Rivers. This is a way that I can still dance and I can still do my workout.”

Sparkman said she believes having two people to serve as Rocky Raider will be a positive at basketball games and events in the future.

“It’s a new thing for us, but I think that it’s going to make us more present at games and within the community,” Sparkman said, “so we’re creating more of a mascot program vs. just a singular position.”

Mike Buhler - Daily American Republic