10/22/2026 11:01:00 AM | Competitive Cheer
Nacogdoches native, former cheerleader reflects on friendships, lessons, and experiences gained at SFA
As an SFA cheerleader in the early 1950s, Cherry helped rally the student body at football and basketball games. In the decades that followed, she built a career in education, raised a family with fellow SFA graduate Dean Cherry and eventually returned to Nacogdoches, where the couple helped six Lumberjacks complete their own college journeys.
CLOSE TO HOME
For Cherry, those connections began with a decision to stay close to home.
"My home town is Nacogdoches," she said. "I was born and raised here. I graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1949. At that time, the high school was located on Mound Street, which is now the TJR building."
SFA offered an opportunity to pursue her goal of becoming an educator while remaining near her family.
"I chose SFA so I could stay at home and go to school, and attend SFA as it happened to be the best teachers college in Texas," she said.
Cherry studied history and English, became involved with Sigma Gamma and found friendships through campus activities and the Baptist Student Union and served the student body as a cheerleader.Â
THE SPIRIT OF SFA
"My time at SFA as a cheerleader was spent being involved in many student activities," Tommie said. "I enjoyed spending time with many friends, especially at the Baptist Student Union, where we had Bible classes, good food, and fellowship. The practices were filled with hard work and laughter. The performances were extremely exciting and fulfilling."
Elected by the student body, the cheerleaders represented their classmates at both football and basketball games. What Cherry remembers most, however, is the work they shared.
"Cheerleading gave us the opportunity to represent our student body and our college. It was a very enjoyable time," Tommie said.
"We worked together as a team to perfect our performances. Lasting friendships were established through our teamwork."
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"The Lumberjack cheerleaders, true to tradition, have been on hand to lead the student body in yells at all football and basketball games and at all pep rallies. In their flashing purple and white uniforms, they have led our teams to battle and have then proved to be faithful in either victory or defeat. Their voices, the loudest of all, are still ringing in our ears as they shout, "Fight, Jacks, Fight."
1952 Stone Fort Yearbook
LESSONS THAT LAST
After earning her bachelor's degree in 1952, Cherry continued her education while working full time in SFA's registrar's office. There, she learned from Ruth Spurgeon, assistant to the registrar.
"My time at SFA helped to shape my career in education," Tommie said. "I have fond memories of Ruth, who kindly trained me."
Cherry earned a master's degree in education and married Dean. Her teaching career took her from Houston to Alaska, where Dean was stationed with the military, and back to Texas.Â
COMING HOME AND GIVING BACK
After 36 years in the classroom, Cherry retired. She and Dean returned to Nacogdoches and established a Christmas tree farm on Appleby Sand Road, welcoming families who made choosing a tree part of their holiday traditions.
Their return also gave them an opportunity to support another generation of SFA students.
"We were blessed throughout our careers and were able to provide a place to live for six SFA students while they continued and finished their education," Tommie said. "We helped them every way we could. This was truly a blessing for all of us involved. These young people have had successful careers, and we still stay in contact with them."
Decades after she first represented SFA as a cheerleader, Cherry's connection to the university lives on through those relationships. The students she and Dean welcomed have moved into careers of their own, but they continue to keep in touch with the couple who helped them along the way.
