Dyson will be the first in his family to attend a 4-year college and will pursue a degree in Psychology
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Recent Chester High School graduate, Dyson Helmers, and his mother and father: Cassy and Ren Helmers are very excited about the fact that this fall Dyson will begin his collegiate career at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. He will be pursuing a career in psychology.
Chester’s Dyson Helmers is shown here signing a letter of intent to cheer at Lindenwood University in 2024-25 as a freshman studying Psychology. With Helmers (center) at the signing table at Chester High School are parents Ren, father (left) and Cassy , mother (Right). Standing in back are family members Gavin, Daphney and Mira. Jim Beers Photo
What makes them even more excited is the fact that Dyson will be able to continue his cheerleading career at NCAA Division I Lindenwood and has been recruited for the 14-time National Champion Competition Cheerleading Team.
Chester High School graduate of 2024 Dyson Helmers (center) signs a letter of intent to cheer for Lindenwood University next fall as a freshman. His intent is to pursue a degree in Psychology. With Dyson at the CHS signing table are Danielle Laramore, Head Cheer Coach at CHS (left) and Cassy Helmers, Mother and Assistant Cheer Coach at CHS (right). Standing behind Dyson to provide congratulations and support are fellow CHS Cheerleaders Elaina Lutman, Jazzi Merideth, Libby McCormick, and Callie Davis. Jim Beers Photo
Lindenwood is a 4-year Liberal Arts College that offers more than 100 different courses taught by highly qualified, professional faculty with real-world experience. Courses are offered both “in-person” and “on-line”. The school is a private entity that was founded in 1827. It is recognized nationally as an institution of higher learning.
Lindenwood distributes roughly $12,500 annually to each student in scholarships and support. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1. Approximately 96.7 percent of Lindenwood graduates are either employed or enrolled in graduate level programs within six months of graduation.
Lindenwood is home to more than 800 full-time faculty and more than 400 staff members. These employees provide education in 130 degree programs. Students come from every state in the nation and from more than 70 different countries.
Dyson is extremely proud and excited to be attending Lindenwood University. He is the first member of his family to attend a 4-year college, not to mention that he will be receiving an academic scholarship.
His adventure began in November of 2023 when he was recruited for the Lindenwood Cheerleading Program.
Dyson’s mother, Cassy, who is also a Chester High School Assistant Cheerleading Coach, said, “His junior year at CHS, one of the Lindenwood cheerleading scouts approached us right after Dyson finished one of his many cheer competitions as a member of the Chester High School Cheer Squad. From that moment on, I felt like he had made up his mind where he wanted to attend college.”
“He knew that Lindenwood has one of the best cheer programs in the country, and that they have won 14 National Cheerleading Competition titles. He can’t wait to be a part of that cheer program and study at their excellent academic institution.”
Dyson has strived to do well at everything he has done throughout his years as a student in District 139. In grade school at CGS he played trumpet and received a 1st Superior rating at the IGSMA Music Contest.
His cheerleading career began in 7th grade at CGS when he joined the Jr. Jacket Cheerleading Squad. In 8th grade his cheer coach, Ms. Menna, took the cheerleaders to cheer competition for the first time. That motivated him to continue cheering in high school.
At Chester High School he was very active both academically and with extracurricular clubs and organizations including band his freshman year when the YellowJacket Music Department finished 5th in the State of Illinois in the IHSA Music Sweepstakes.
He was also a member of Spanish Club, Pep Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and the N Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. Academically Dyson was typically on the Honor Roll and his senior year he was honored as the Elks Student of the Month for December 2023.
His junior summer, Dyson took a Psychology class at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) and he has worked at Scooters faithfully for three years.
His cheer career has kept him very busy with football and basketball games, cheer competitions and cheer practices. Throughout his high school cheer career he has attended multiple cheer camps at Lindenwood. At the National Cheer Association (NCA) competition, he was named “All American Male Cheerleader” his senior year.
His skills and dedication led him to have the opportunity to perform in Orlando, Florida last December of 2023 at the “Cheez-It Citrus Bowl” with two of his CHS Cheer Teammates. This honor was a fantastic for him and his teammates and they all three received fantastic support of the Community of Chester for their efforts and experience.
During his career at CHS Dyson earned the following accolades: All-Conference Cheerleader junior and senior years; Most Dedicated Cheerleader Sophomore & Senior years; Cheer Captain senior year.
CHS won 1st Place at the Alton Cheer Invitational. CHS earned All State Cheer status and Dyson was presented a letter jacket at the ICCA Competition his senior year. He was also recognized as a Senior Scholar Athlete.
The Chester Cheer squad attended the IHSA State competition his freshman year and the ICCA State Competition his freshman, sophomore and senior years.
Dyson’s Mother, Cassy said, “The memories that he and his teammates made the past four years are priceless, and to say that his high school years have been busy and very rewarding is an understatement!”
“I want to thank Grade School coaches Jackie Coffey, and Kailey Menna for pushing Chester Grade School to attend its first competition, and to Chester High School Coach, Alisa Herrell, who encouraged him to join the Cheer Team at CHS his freshman year.”
“Further thanks go to Danielle Laramore, the current CHS Cheer Coach, for pushing him the past three years to not settle for anything but the best and for putting up with all of his ideas to change things up once-in-a-while at cheer practice.”
“Finally, thanks to ‘Power Haus Tumbling’ in Columbia, Illinois for all of the time they spent with him to develop his skills which helped him achieve his cheerleading goals.”
Head CHS Cheer Coach, Danielle Laramore, said, “Dyson has the drive and talent that only comes once-in-a-lifetime. When I started coaching his sophomore year, I could see his passion for this sport. We used to laugh and say that Dyson lived and breathed cheerleading!”
“He works until he is exhausted and doesn’t stop until he achieves his goals. He is one of the most determined athletes I have ever seen! He is every coach’s dream!
“I cannot wait to watch him continue to grow in the sport of cheerleading. I could not be more proud of the cheerleader he has become. I will definitely be making the trip to Daytona to watch him perform with Lindenwood, one of the top collegiate cheer competitors in the country.
“The community of Chester should be so proud of Dyson. I am so grateful to have been able to help him along his cheering journey. I wish him nothing but the best of luck and can’t wait to watch him at the next level.
“A signing event was held at the Chester High School’s Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria in May of 2024 to officially kick-off Dyson’s collegiate cheerleading career at Lindenwood. He will report to Lindenwood on August 12 to begin the next chapter in both his academic and cheerleading careers at the collegiate level.”