A Fort Smith cheer squad is making waves far beyond the sidelines. The Southside Southern Belles are raising money to march in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — and while they work toward that dream, they’re making sure local students benefit along the way.

According to 5newsonline.com, the Southside Southern Belles have been actively fundraising for their Macy’s Parade appearance while simultaneously giving back to Fort Smith students. The dual mission reflects a spirit of community generosity that goes hand in hand with the squad’s competitive ambitions — turning their journey toward a national spotlight into an opportunity to lift up the young people around them.

Earning a spot in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a remarkable achievement for any performance group, and for a squad from Fort Smith, Arkansas, it represents both local pride and hard work paying off on a national stage. The fact that the team has woven community giving into their fundraising efforts makes the accomplishment all the more meaningful.

Also making Fort Smith proud this week are two Southside High School swimmers. According to the River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Southside swimmers Simon and Bingham both earned medals at the state swim meet — a strong showing that highlights the depth of athletic talent coming out of Fort Smith’s schools.

Together, these stories paint an uplifting picture of Fort Smith young people striving for excellence — on the competition floor, in the pool, and in their communities. Whether cheering on a national stage or touching the wall first at a state championship, Fort Smith’s student athletes are giving their hometown plenty to celebrate this summer.

Sources: 5newsonline.com, River Valley Democrat-Gazette