The Burroughs Cheer Team, seen all over campus enthusiastically supporting our football and basketball sports teams from the sidelines, kicked off their season even before the school year began. The cheerleaders had no time to rest as they had a jam-packed summer filled with constant activities and extensive training.
The JV and Varsity cheer squads attended the USA Spirit Camp from July 11-14. While at camp, they experimented with cheers and practiced new stunting techniques while also learning key points on how to work with a team, the highlights of a good leader.
Varsity Cheer Co-Captain Samara Rivas, a senior, reflected on her bittersweet yet fulfilling last USA Spirit Camp experience.
“Going to cheer camp for one last time was most certainly an emotional experience, considering that I have cheered for so long and have such a great bond with my team,” said Rivas. “The thought that it was truly my last time ever being able to do that with my teammates and coaches, is something that came by way too fast. And though it was sad to experience all those last moments, it was also one of my best camps yet because I was able to inspire so many other cheerleaders and make many friends I still connect with today!”
Eleven girls made All-American at the end of camp for this season. Being nominated as an All-American cheerleader is a tremendous honor that not many receive. The cheerleaders must display great skills, control, and leadership within their sport. Trying out for such an award is a very strenuous endeavor that many attempt but only a few accomplish, making this a memorable milestone for this year’s recipients.
“What makes being an All-American unique is you are hand-selected by a USA staff member at camp,” remarked Varsity Cheerleader Dannika Nelson, a junior. “You are recognized for showing strong leadership, showmanship, and personal qualities.”
The selected All-American cheerleaders — freshman Maddy Bloudek; sophomore Clover Cooper; juniors Madison Berry, Madalyn Martin, Maycee McCrumb, Dannika Nelson, Jordynn Pangle-Simms, and Nancy Vidrio; and seniors Paige Dunn, Chloe Johnson, and Kairi Davis — will travel to Hawaii to perform at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in December.
To cover the cost of the trip, the girls have been hard at work selling baked goods, putting on car washes, and selling other merchandise. If you find yourself craving some baked goods, reach out to a cheerleader you may know and see how you can support them!
This year Cheer is under the guidance of new Head Coach Caitlyn Hayman. Long-time Head Cheer Coach Stacey Crow put down her pom-poms at the end of last year, announcing a move to Washington state.
“I am really looking forward to all of the fun events like Homecoming, the pep rallies, and the football games,” said Hayman. “Those are such special memories from my own days of cheerleading and I can’t wait to experience it as a coach with this team.”
The cheerleaders will perform at the August 29 Mini-Pep Rally on the quad before school.
