Jessica Newton was accepted as a member of the Auburn Tiger Paws. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Jessica Newton will be performing on The Plains with the Auburn Tiger Paws dance team for the upcoming school year.

Newton, a 2014 graduate of Bob Jones High School, wanted to join the Tiger Paws for her love for dance and desire to participate in Auburn University student life. “I’ve always admired the talent and positive image of the Tiger Paws, which motivated me to try out for the team,” she said.

Audiences see the Tiger Paws’ energy at all home football and men’s and women’s basketball games, along with soccer and volleyball matches. They make special community appearances to local schools, daycare facilities, nursing homes and city events, team coach Taylor McDonald said.

The 16-member dance squad presents routines ranging from jazz and hip-hop to pom and sidelines. “This allows our members to be well-rounded dancers and our audience a great show,” McDonald said.

The Tiger Paws practice four days weekly, along with two gym training sessions during the school year. They also hold additional practices during summer and holiday breaks.

At Bob Jones, Newton participated in National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She served as a Bob Jones Student Ambassador, Student Government representative and volunteer in numerous activities.

As a freshman, Newton was a member of the Bob Jones Junior Varsity Competition Cheer squad that won the 2011 national championship. “I’ve been a competition dancer at The Dance Company Inc. for numerous years and have won various dance-related scholarships at competitions,” Newton said.

She was first runner-up in the Madison County Distinguished Young Women 2013, after winning the talent and fitness divisions.

Her parents are Stephen and Talitha Newton. Jessica’s sister, Laura Newton, also is a Bob Jones graduate. The Newton family has lived in Madison for more than 23 years.

Jessica will major in nursing at Auburn with plans to be a nurse practitioner.

For more information, visit auburn.edu/tigerpaws, auburntigerpaws.blogspot.com or Facebook/Auburn Tiger Paws.