BENTON – Cheering on the Lady Marshals and Marshals last Thursday evening, Marshall County Cheerleaders and students, like most high school teenagers, are happy to be with friends and looking forward to their Christmas break, not knowing how that very evening their lives would change.
Senior cheerleader, Dasha Roberts, was killed in a car accident on her way home from the basketball games on Thursday and in an instant, the lives of her family and friends would be changed forever.
Her first year on the cheerleading squad after moving to Marshall County last spring, Dasha quickly became a treasured member of the team and friend of her classmates. Before coming to Marshall County, Dasha was a student and member of the Westview High School squad in Martin, Tn.
Dasha turned 18 on October 24th and according to Marshall County Cheer Sponsors, “always had a smile on her face and laughter in her voice.”
“We were excited to have her and she brought a lot to the team”, Cheer Sponsor Dondra Hackney said. “Not only were her skills great but her personality helped to make the team closer. Dasha loved her cheer team and they loved her.”
Struggling through the next day, friends and teammates comforted one another, carrying on Friday evening when the Lady Marshals and Marshals played at McCracken County.
Cheering through tears, the students were comforted by just being together and touched by flowers presented to the cheerleaders by the McCracken County cheerleaders.
Before Tuesday’s games at Murray, the Murray High cheerleaders presented the Marshall County cheerleaders with a wreath in honor of Dasha. They have also received support in many other forms from area cheer squads as well as groups within Marshall County High School.
Hackney said the girls are having a hard time coming to grips with the loss of Dasha and plan to put orange and blue poms in Dasha’s spot on the floor during games.
Born in Russia and given the name Dasha, which means “God’s Gift”, Dasha’s parents are Michael Roberts of Bruceton, Tn. and Amy Fulbright and husband Marty of New Concord, Ky. Dasha also leaves behind three brothers Collin Roberts and Rhodes and Cade Fulbright, grandparents and great-grandparents.
Dasha was laid to rest Sunday in Bruceton, Tn., but her memory will live on forever in the lives of those she touched.
