Saturday, April 18, 2026
Judy and I were teammates. We were both Seniors at Franklin County High School (1968-68). We were aware of one another because of the classes we attended during our tenure at FCHS. Yet, beyond merely being participants in the passing parade,of high school students, we interacted as officers of the Student Council our Senior year.
More importantly I said yes when asked by the cheerleaders' sponsor, Ms. Rosemary Weddington, if I would join the team as what became the sole male member of the squad. Because I was interested in doing new and unique things, especially things no others had done at our alma mater, the offer seemed intriguing. It became a foregone conclusion that it would be my privilege to join this rather elite cadre.
The squad was comprised of young women who seemed more like sisters to each other and to me, also. Judy was 'The Captain', either by appointment, acclamation, or just by the force of her strong personality. Her captaincy, her being first among equals, was never questioned by me. Following Judy's quiet lead, she and the other sisters welcomed me into what at the time was a rarefied world.
My role was primarily to be a loud voice, an athletic element of physical jumps, vaults, and other visual elements of derring-do. Ms. Weddington's vision of the current crop of cheerleaders included me being the "muscle" and anchor. I was to lift, twirl, and manipulate the female stars through their featured gymnastic maneuvers. Judy became my primary partner.
Perfecting lifts, particularly, required a rather specific differential in body structure, size, height, and weight that must be delicately balanced. Judy and I were more perfectly matched than any of the duos consisting of myself with Amy, Barbara, Betty, or Paula. Judy and I practiced hard to perfect our "ballet". She led by example. She was fearless and exhibited complete trust. I never dropped her, and only once did I nearly allow her to overextended a handstand on my shoulders. She was not scared, nor did she chastise me, as she knew that together we cheated the physics of mass in motion continuing to move unless redirected. She trusted me to adjust our center of gravity, while she responded to the physical guidelines of the stunt. We were a team, and this memory has lasted in a vivid state since its occurrence in 1969.
At our 50th High School Reunion, I reminded her of this incident. My observation was that since she had retained her high school physique, therefore even though my current body mass was no longer skeletal, that I believed without a doubt she could once again flip, fly, and twist with me as her stable pommel. With the great clarity and good sense that Judy always exhibited, she graciously declined my suggestion.
She related, that when viewing athletic events on television with her grandchildren she would state that when she was in high school she participated in such athletically-demanding cheerleading routines. With no real malice of forethought the grandkids said, "JuJu, I can't believe that."
Fifty years of living may tarnish and remodel the visage, but Judy knew that not even their assessment of her current state of being could diminish the reality that is the basis of what, I consider, one of my many wonderful memories of my friend, classmate, and partner Judy Arnold. I knew her as a young girl, wise woman, and lovely human being. May she rest peacefully in the presence of eternal Love and Joy.
