LOWER LAKE – Eight Lower Lake High School (LLHS) cheerleaders have made the All American Team and will be traveling as far as London to represent the spirit of Lake County youth. Fundraising efforts have begun but the girls have a long road ahead with nearly $24,000 needed.
“I”m very privileged and very honored. I have 30 rostered cheerleaders this year and that”s the biggest squad we”ve had,” Tammy Davis, cheerleading coach said. “My two captains earned the right to participate in the Macy”s Day Parade; five girls earned the opportunity to perform in London; and two get to go to Houston to perform in their Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
Davis continued, “This is the first time that I am aware of that LLHS cheerleaders have made the All American Team.”
LLHS hosted a cheerleading camp in July, which led to her girls” selection for the All American Team. The four-day camp invited representatives from Universal Cheer Association and Universal Dance Association. The girls had to learn a dance routine and a cheer, which they were then scored on with the top scorers making the All American Team.
“We had to learn a dance routine in three days and we nailed it,” Sabrina Rodriguez, 17, said. “It helped us because it brought us together as a team. Now we can see eye-to-eye and communicate better.”
The five girls who have been invited to London will perform in a New Year”s Day event. The girls must cover passport costs as well as program fees and other expenses. They are looking at a trip cost of about $3,000 apiece. London-bound cheerleaders, who are all on the varsity squad, include sophomores April Morgan, 14, Alexandria Rowe, 14, Shawna Sample, 15; and juniors Sabrina Rodriguez, 17 and team captain Jessica Jones, 16.
“This will be my first time out of the state or the country,” Morgan said. “It is exciting to be embarking on such an exciting adventure.”
Jones has also been invited to New York City for the Macy”s Day Parade as has sophomore Rachael Williamson, 16. “Being chosen for the All American Team makes me feel inspired that I can be an influence on the other girls,” Jones said.
Freshman Sofia Bell, 13 and Briel Cushman, 14 will be representing the county”s youth in Houston, Texas. “I think it”s exciting for the whole team to be going to London, New York and Houston because we”ve never gone anywhere before and it shows that we are here and we can achieve milestones for our school,” Cushman said.
Rowe said that the opportunity brings the squad up to higher standards while Sample said she hopes it opens opportunities for the future. “I hope that the opportunities we are being given now are just stepping stones to the future,” Sample said.
Parents of the girls are sharing in the excitement. “We are proud of our girls,” Rodriguez”s mom Rachael Martinez said. “It”s as an exciting moment for us as moms as it is for them.”
There is a lot of work ahead for the spirit squad with practice scheduled to begin in just two weeks. Along with fundraising for season expenses, the girls will be working double time to earn enough money to enjoy the adventures they”ve been invited to participate in.
“There”s a lot of practice and a lot of hard work ahead but I”m very please with the group I have,” Davis said. “There”s a lot of dedication and come our first game they are going to rock!”
The squad is planning several fundraisers. Look for them at car washes, spaghetti feeds, hot dog sales and anywhere you see the Trojans” signature blue and white.
For more information regarding donations and individual sponsorships for any of the girls, contact parent volunteer Jamie Fielden at 350-2714.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
