Riverdale Academy announced the addition of Hannah Sams as co-sponsor for Varsity Cheer for the 2025-26 school year. 

Sams cheered from elementary school until her sophomore year in college (LA Tech). She chose to step away from cheering to pursue a degree in healthcare management and attend respiratory therapy school. 

During high school, she competed in the UCA Louisiana Regional and State cheer competitions and received multiple championships and runner-up titles. 

Her favorite thing about cheering in college was cheering at the basketball games because the crowds were so loud and so close. She admitted she also liked the air conditioning. 

She has experience coaching summer cheer camps, coaching cheer teams, teaching private tumbling lessons and choreographing competition routines for teams across north Louisiana.

Sams also shared she hopes to bring her knowledge, experience and love of Christ with her to Riverdale.

Sams is married to Coushatta native John Lewis Sams. They live in Ringgold with their two children, Aly Jon and Ella. 

Source: Riverdale Academy Facebook page