HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Ja’Merica Kimbrell Dixon is demanding answers after her sister Kendall, a Hattiesburg High School cheerleader with autism, was publicly mocked on a fan-run spirit page during a recent game.
The post, which called Kendall a “fugly cheerleader,” was captured in screenshots before the account was reportedly deleted.
Dixon shared the screenshot but said she blurred Kendall’s face and the faces of other students to protect them.
“I blurred her face out and the other girls … but yall are some sorry ass individuals,” she wrote.
The post ignited immediate outrage in the stands and online. Band parents and cheer teammates said they saw the post during the event and moved quickly to get it removed.
“They were mad mad right now,” one parent wrote, saying students witnessed the post before leaving the stadium.
Kentavis Brown pointed out that the account was deleted; Lesha Seale said band parents still have screenshots.
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Community and Parents rally against bullying
Community members rallied behind Kendall and her family. Eric Bluntson called for the school district to be alerted and held people accountable: “This is ridiculous and has me pissed off as well! Let’s make sure that the Hattiesburg School District finds out about this.
Even on social media, people must be held accountable!” Coach Shawn Mitchell, who coached Kendall when she entered seventh grade, called the act “pure nasty and evil,” adding that Kendall “has always been a joy and a bright spot in school athletics.”
Several commenters stressed the wider harm of such attacks on vulnerable students.
Victoria Torrain said the incident should have been “a teachable moment,” warning that dismissing the issue only normalizes bullying.
Another parent noted Mississippi’s laws that require schools to prohibit bullying and to adopt reporting and investigation procedures — a reminder that districts have a legal responsibility to act.
Dixon says the post came from a fan-run page that supports the Tigers and is not an official school account.
Still, she and others want clarity: who ran the page, how did the post go live during a school event, and what will the district do now?
“One parent reached out to apologize, but others have chosen to dismiss the issue and say ‘What does this have to do with Hattiesburg?’”Dixon wrote.
“This speaks volumes… Adults, especially parents and educators, play a role in modeling accountability and inclusion.”
Teammates and parents described swift, protective reactions from students. “Shoutout to her cheer sisters for having her back … those girls love Kendall and always look out for her, and I’m so grateful,” Dixon said.
Several cheerleaders reportedly messaged the page to get the content removed while the game was still underway.
Calls for action have ranged from school-district investigations to possible criminal complaints for cyberbullying.
Multiple commenters urged formally reporting the post to the Hattiesburg Public School District, local law enforcement, and news outlets.
Ja’Merica said she is prepared to press charges if the responsible party is identified and has offered to speak with local TV stations about the need for clearer anti-bullying education and accountability from schools.
The community response has been swift and vocal: parents, local leaders, and even community groups signaled support for Kendall.
“Someone knows who’s behind that page,” one commenter wrote. “We need answers from the principal, the coaches, the parents, and the kids responsible,” another added.
For now, the account appears to be gone, but the damage remains. Dixon and supporters insist that deleting a page does not erase responsibility.
They want transparent action from Hattiesburg officials: an explanation of how the post happened, confirmation of any investigation, and a clear plan to prevent similar attacks — especially against students with disabilities.
“Don’t let them dismiss this,” several commenters warned. “Teach your kids kindness. Hold people accountable.”
Families and community members say they will press for steps that put student safety and dignity first, and they expect the district to do the same.
