Tradition runs deep at Marietta High School. The varsity cheerleaders continue a fight song routine started nearly 40 years ago.

During the summer of 1972, the varsity cheerleading squad choreographed a routine to the school's fight song that was handed down from year to year to the next squad.

Missy Hunter, a math teacher and varsity cheerleading coach at MHS, said the routine is a classic. The fourth-generation MHS graduate said the varsity cheerleaders won first place for the second year in a row for the fight song routine at cheerleading camp attended at University of West Georgia during July. The middle school squad also won a similar award at camp at University of Georgia over the summer.

"One of the greatest things I find incredible about our school system is the sense of pride in the people and the traditions from those who have gone before us. It is that rich tradition in Marietta that keeps a 40-year-old fight song dance timeless," she said. "None of the girls, nor I, have any desire to change it," said Hunter, a 1999 graduate and former cheerleader.

"I just can't believe they still do the routine," said Leah Ravan Bell, who helped choreograph the original routine. "I thought they would have definitely changed it over the years."

The 1973 graduate still attends football games at MHS. She said, "It's a neat thing."

Traditions in Marietta remain strong year after year.

"You see tradition everywhere, especially with the high school, because there are so many of the kids that go there whose parents went to Marietta. Even some grandparents went there," Bell explained.

Her father, Judge Howell Ravan, is also an MHS graduate. "Tradition is just all over the place," the Marietta native said.

"Marietta (High School) is just very traditional and sentimental in passing down tradition," she said.

Hunter said, "It is important to pass things down so that you know your roots. You know where you come from and the things that establish where you come from."