KATHY AUSBURN

Raider Cheer Program Coordinator

This year will be Kathy’s second as the Raider Cheer Program Coordinator. She is a Habersham County native, HCHS graduate, and former Raider cheerleader. Having coached cheerleading for a majority of her 33-year teaching career, her coaching experience includes both football and basketball cheerleading at South Habersham Jr. High along with both football and basketball cheerleading at HCHS at the JV and Varsity levels. She currently enjoys working with the very talented Raider cheer staff, all of which are former cheerleaders who bring a tremendous amount of experience to the program. Kathy sees the cheer program as being about more than just athletics. It is an opportunity for those involved to grow as both athletes and individuals. Promoting the growth of cheerleaders as school leaders and positive role models is a goal for the program. She hopes all the athletes involved in Raider cheer program become a “Powerful Positive Presence” in their schools and communities. She is proud of the direction of Raider cheer but knows there is always room for improvement. She looks forward to building an even stronger program in the future.

Personal information:

Kathy currently teaches at the Success Academy. She received her bachelors, masters, and specialist degrees from the University of Georgia and her Ed. D degree from Liberty University. She works as an adjunct professor with North Georgia Technical College and Anderson University. She is married to Mark Ausburn who is the head coach for the Middle School football team. They have two children, Trevor who works for Windstream, and Jalen who is a counselor and cheer coach at HCHS. Jalen is married to Seth Hulsey who works at Christ Presbyterian Church and is a teacher at HCLC.

JALEN HULSEY

Varsity Football and Basketball Cheer

Jalen is a 2011 graduate of Habersham Central High School and was a Raider Varsity competition cheerleader for two years and a Raider sideline football cheerleader for four years, cheering on the 9th, JV, and Varsity squads. She was the co-captain for Varsity football sideline cheer in both her junior and senior years. This will be her fourth year of head coaching for Habersham cheerleading.

Jalen Hulsey is currently beginning her fourth year as a school counselor at Habersham Central High School. She attended the University of Georgia for a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology and continued on at UGA for her Masters of Education in School Counseling. She also received her Education Specialist degree in School Counseling at Valdosta State University. Jalen is married to Seth Hulsey, a 2011 Habersham Central High School graduate and former Raider football player. Seth works at Christ Presbyterian Church in Clarkesville and is a teacher for the Habersham Christian Learning Center. He also attends seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary.

CANDACE WILLIAMS

Varsity Football Cheer

Candace is a Habersham Central High school graduate and former Raider cheerleader. While in high school, she was chosen twice as an All- Star cheerleader by the Universal Cheerleading Association. Candace was also chosen as the Most Spirited cheerleader on her squad for two years and was captain of her squad as a Senior. This year will be her tenth year coaching for Raider cheer. 

Candace currently teaches second grade at Fairview Elementary School, where she has been a teacher for ten years. She received her master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Georgia Southern University and her bachelor’s in early childhood education from Gainesville State College. Candace is married to Ryan Williams and they reside in Clarkesville with their dog India.

CHRISTY THOMPSON

Varsity Competition Cheer

Christy Thompson is a native of Habersham County. She is a graduate of HCHS as well as a former Raider cheerleader. She is honored to be coaching Varsity Competition this year. She has coached cheerleading for 12 years at both the middle school and high school level. 

Christy currently teaches English at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy. She is married to Eric Thompson, also a native to Habersham County. They have two children Austin, a recent graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and Abigail, who is enrolled at the University of North Georgia.

CRISTEN RABERN

JV Competition Cheerleading

Cristen is a 2009 graduate of Habersham Central High School where she was a Raider football and competition cheerleader all four years, being selected as captain of both squads her senior year. This year will be her second on staff with the Raider cheer program.

Cristen is currently beginning her fifth year teaching social studies at Habersham Central High School. She graduated from the University of North Georgia with a Bachelors' degree in History education. Cristen has been married to her high school sweetheart, Matthew, for seven years, and they have a beautiful baby boy named Aaron. 

MELISSA WHITE

JV Football and Basketball Cheer

Melissa is a Gwinnett County native who participated in competitive gymnastics for seven years and cheered all four years at Shiloh High School. She has coached Varsity Football and Basketball cheerleading at Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama, Middle School basketball cheerleading at Pamlico Middle School in Pamlico, North Carolina, Middle School basketball cheerleading at Omni Middle School in Boca Raton, Florida, and Middle School football and basketball for Habersham County.  This season will be her eighth year of coaching, fourth in Habersham County.

Melissa currently teaches Special Education at South Habersham Middle School. She earned her B.A. in Special Education from University of South Alabama. Melissa has been married for 27 years to Monte, who is retired from the Coast Guard after 24 1/2 years. They have two children, James and Lyndsey. 

VICTORIA HOOPER

Middle School Football and 8th grade Basketball Cheer

Victoria is a 2014 graduate of Habersham Central High School. She was an all-star competitive cheerleader for nine years, a Varsity Competition cheerleader for two years, and a Varsity football cheerleader for two years. She was the captain for Varsity football cheer during her senior year. This will be her first year coaching for Habersham cheerleading.

Victoria currently teaches at Wilbanks Middle School. She graduated from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega with a degree in Secondary English Education. She is currently pursuing her masters degree at Kennesaw State University in Secondary Education with a focus on English and Language Arts. She is married to Anthony Hooper, and together they have two fur babies. They have an Italian Mastiff named Eliza who is two years old and a Havanese named Hadley who is four years old. Anthony works as a lineman for Utility Lines Construction.

holly Smith

Middle School 7h grade Basketball Cheer

Holly has been a coach and choreographer for over 19 years, choreographing projects from solo performances to large productions in public school and church arenas.  Within the International Teen Talent competition, students and teams under her direction have earned over 25 titles spanning through all categories of drama and dance, including multiple international championship titles.  Five years ago, Holly transitioned into the world of cheer, coaching and working with the Habersham County Recreation Department to develop the county's cheerleading program. Within that time her squads have succeeded in earning three cheer championship titles.  Holly's heart is in developing young talent to shine in their abilities, and she is honored to have the opportunity to do so in her third year as a Raider Cheer coach. 

Holly teaches honors English at South Habersham Middle School. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Lee University, Masters in Arts of Teaching in Childhood Education from University of Phoenix, and Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Valdosta State University.  She is married to Scott, who serves in the role of executive pastor of The Torch Worship Center.  Holly and Scott have two beautiful children, Kaden and Emma Kate. 

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