The Missouri Southern Spirit Squad is asking Joplin to help pay its way to a national collegiate competition in Florida next April – by holiday shopping at their kiosk in Northpark Mall. The Spirit Squad Bookstore opened Nov. 21, and will remain open during regular mall hours until Jan. 7. A portion of the proceeds raised will assist the Spirit Squad. Members of the Southern cheerleading anddance squads work the Spirit Squad Bookstore. There must be two members working at all times.

“During games we have to alternate who is working, so it is kind of challenging,” said Jessi

Nelson, junior mass communication major and captain of the cheerleading squad.

Organizing a work schedule has been complicated because spirit squad members do not all live locally and have to balance the holidays, cheering and working the mall store.

Performing at gamesand practices is important for the spirit squad as each experience prepares them for the national competition this summer. The Spirit Squad has only competed in the national competition two times before, the last time during the 2010-2011 season.

Nelson attended that contest. “It was really fun,” said Nelson. “I am really looking forward to performing on the beach. There are floors set up on the sand and it is really awesome.”

Even squad members who have not experienced the national competition are looking forward to  it.

“I am really just excited to compete,” said junior Amanda Sussy. “I’ve done mostly competition squads and I just want to be out there.”

The cheerleading squad has been hoping to compete at nationals for the past few years but has not had the funding. So far, the squad has not seen as much business at the mall store as they had hoped, but there have been a lot of customers looking and asking questions.

With the holidays approaching, the Spirit Squad hopes mall shoppers will consider Missouri Southern merchandise this holiday season. The store offers apparel for men, women and children, jewelry, mugs, home décor, stuffed lions and more.

When the University announced the news of the new Spirit Squad Bookstore at the mall, community members and Southern supporters questioned why there is not a permanent off-campus bookstore.

Joplin resident William Lynch commented on the Missouri Southern State University Facebook page, “This is really a big deal! I hope it’s profi table enough for MSSU to enter into the market at the mall.”

Tammy Haynes, mother of Southern junior accounting major Jessica Haynes, was shopping at the Spirit Squad Bookstore. She said she feels the store helps the community become more aware of the University. She thinks the store should be open in the mall all the time.

“I think its amazing,” said Haynes. “The only other place you can get [Southern spirit gear] is the [campus] bookstore. I think the convenience is just great.”

The kiosk is located near J.C. Penney’s and Regis Salon.