The Lehman High School Cheerleading Competition Squad, (l-r bottom row) Cecilia Delgado, Rina Caravantes, Danielle Tamayo, Kyrstin Tambur (co-captain), Michelle Abeita (Captain), Katie Maxwell, Marissa Palacios, Olivia Workman, (l-r second row) Raechelle DeSalvo, Briana Zaragoza, Shelby Rotter, Amanda Guerra, Tori Van Wart, Breanna Alonzo, Alexis Ramirez, Mykell Epps, Marisa Luna, (l-r back row) Joshua Peterson, Hector Castro, Kody Banda (co-captain), Alex Babino and Nathan Lewis brought home the Small Varsity Coed World School 2012 Championship. (Courtesy photo)
by KIM HILSENBECK
After months of practicing morning and night – all while maintaining an A-B grade average – the Lehman High School Cheerleading Competition Squad had its moment in the spotlight last week.
The 20-member coed team traveled to Orlando Feb. 14–16 to compete in the Universal Cheer Association-sanctioned National High School Cheerleading Championships.
Following a first-place win at the regional level in November, the Lobos were invited to attend the national event. Coach Stacy Martinez said it’s the most prestigious cheer competition in the country.
Martinez said several of her kids had no previous competition experience handling the bright lights and intensity.
“They froze,” she said. “If you are not familiar with cheer, you get one chance to show the judges everything you have been working on all year long in a routine that is two minutes and 30 seconds.”
As luck would have it, the team was also registered to compete the next day at the World School Cheerleading Championship, also sanctioned by the Universal Cheer Association. This world competition is new to high schools, but Martinez said it is just as important as the NHSCC.
The Lobo squad members nailed their routine to become the small varsity coed World School 2012 Champions.
“We beat several of the teams that beat us the previous day at the NHSCC event,” Martinez said. “It was so exciting to see these kids go out on a high note.”
Team captain Michelle Abeita, 17, said the team was nervous at the Nationals competition.
“We felt some pressure,” Abeita said.
On Sunday, Abeita said the team relaxed and just went out to have fun. It worked.
Getting to the competitions was challenging, according to Martinez. She said they had to do lots of fundraising just to be able to attend.
“The kids have to pay for everything,” she said. “We get $1,500 from the school budget – that paid for letterman jackets and some practice mats. The kids pay for uniforms, pom-poms, shoes, travel, and registration costs.”
She said they held several fundraisers such as a barbecue plate sale to raise money for the trip to Florida.
“Several local businesses also donated goods so we could keep most of the profit,” Martinez said. “The community has been fantastic in its support.”
“We are very proud of our cheerleaders/yell leaders who brought back this title,” she said, “and we hope to continue this tradition for years to come.”
