UHS cheerleaders heading for NYC
Two Uniontown High School cheerleaders hope to be bound for the Big Apple this fall.
UHS senior Brittany Tanner and sophomore Jana Wilkinson, both selected this year as All-American Cheerleaders by the National Cheerleading Association, are raising money to represent the region by performing in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
"I'm really excited about going to New York and performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," Tanner said. "It's an honor to be selected as an All-American Cheerleader and I'm thrilled that I was allowed to have this experience."
Sabrina Wilkinson, one of the girls' coaches, said this is the first year Wilkinson and Tanner have been recognized as All-American Cheerleaders, a designation that represents hard work and is an honor that is not presented to many cheerleaders.
UHS senior Lauren Rockhold, who has qualified as All-American Cheerleader each of the last five years, also earned the recognition this year, but is not going on the trip.
"It's a great honor, and I'm happy about having the experience," Jana said.
Being an All-American Cheerleader means that a cheerleader not only has what it takes now, but also shows pride in herself and great potential for the future, a news release said.
Rockhold has traveled to New York as an All-American Cheerleader in the past, and in 2008, was the first area junior high school student to be chosen as an All-American Cheerleader and performed with former UHS cheerleader Haley Melton at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla. She and Melton were the first UHS students to participate in the All-American Cheerleader program.
Tanner and Jana Wilkinson are two of 18 girls on the UHS cheer squad, which held a summer camp at the high school run by two NCA cheerleaders. The camp is required for girls who make the cheerleading squad, Sabrina said.
Throughout the two-day camp, the NCA cheerleaders helped the squad learn new cheers, chants, dances and builds. Along with that, the NCA cheerleaders kept their eyes open for cheerleaders who displayed exceptional skill in one area or another such as basing, arm motions, back spotting and flying, among others.
As they saw fit, the NCA cheerleaders would nominate members of the squad to try out for All-American Cheerleader.
"Throughout the two days, they keep their eyes on all of the girls," Sabrina said. "Those who go above and beyond or show they are exceptionally good in certain areas get a ribbon showing they are able to try out for All-American Cheerleader."
At the end of the camp, those nominated tried out for All-American, being judged by the NCA cheerleaders. Three girls -- Tanner, Wilkinson and Rockhold -- scored high enough to earn the title of All-American Cheerleader.
"If they make a certain score or above, then they are considered All-American Cheerleaders," Sabrina said.
Sabrina said the decision to try out for All-American Cheerleader is optional. Once selected as All-American Cheerleaders, the girls can choose a location they wish to perform in from various options. This year, the choices were NYC, Florida, Philadelphia and London, Sabrina said.
"Both (girls) had never been (to New York)," she said. "We had sent girls there before through the same program. We thought it would be really exciting and really educational."
Sabrina said the trip will cost about $2,500 per person for the four people planning to make the trip. Sabrina is going as a sponsor and her daughter; Kelli Wilkinson, is coming along as a spectator. The trip costs a little more for the cheerleaders due to needed supplies, Sabrina said.
The group started with a goal of about $10,000 in donations and is about $2,000 shy of that objective with a little more than two weeks left until the Sept. 15 deadline to have all expenses paid. Sabrina said she is confident they will reach their goal through upcoming fundraisers.
"We hit local businesses from Fort Scott to Iola, even down to the Girard area," she said.
Each of the some 2,000 cheerleaders performing in the parade will receive uniforms and a DVD with a dance or cheer they are required to learn on their own. Cheerleaders who take more time to nail down the routine will receive something special for their efforts.
"The girls who know the routine perfectly will be put in front or on the outside," Sabrina said. "The people and TV cameras will see them before the other girls."
The group plans to leave Saturday, Nov. 17, and spend about a week in NYC. While there, they will have a full day and a half to go sightseeing. The local girls will have an afternoon and evening to "go wherever they want to go," Sabrina said.
Plans are to see the Statue of Liberty, take in a Broadway show and see the famous Rockettes, among other attractions. The group's hotel is "right on Times Square," Sabrina said.
The girls will have to spend a majority of their time practicing with maybe a few hours of sleep each night.
The parade will be broadcast live on local channels.
Any donations can be made to either Jana or Brittany and sent to Uniontown High School, 601 Fifth St., Uniontown, Kan., 66779.