Cheering Their Way to The Top
The Raiders Varsity Cheer team takes on their first twelve hour UCA Camp
Photo by Kristi Blankenship, Cheer coach
Pictured: Back row (l to r) Rachel, Krisia, Madison, Emma, Jostine, Vicky, Tatiana, Hope Middle row: Brooke, Saniah, Ceyda, Francesca, Brooke Front row: Angie, Kelly
Red, black, the Raiders Varsity Cheer Team is ready to attack!
Since June, the cheerleaders have endured endless hours of practice, and fundraising like crazy, all in hopes of making their way to Florida in February. Their most recent task: a two day (twelve collective hours) stunting camp.
For the many who don’t know, UCA stands for “Universal Cheerleaders Association”.
By participating in this camp, the Raiders Cheer team becomes eligible for the “Big Kahuna” of cheer competitions: UCA Nationals.
If this team places enough times at their competitions in the upcoming winter season, they will attain their bid and be on their way to Florida!
This is very big for Pat-Med Athletics because the last team that competed in Nationals was the team of 1997!
After this weekend the cheerleaders had quite a lot to say…
“The camp was a lot of hard work and we faced a lot of challenges, but we ended up becoming stronger individually and as a team because of it,” said Junior Brooke DeSena.
One of the team captains, Senior Hope Marotta said, “although UCA camp this weekend was super long, we were able to power through it. We have been continuing to work harder and harder every day, and UCA helped us to become more confident as a team. Overall, it was very fun experience and something totally different than we’re used to, but it’s a great feeling to be heading in the right direction.”
“Cheerleading has been an awesome experience for me! I started in 10th grade and ever since then it’s been a long but great ride. It’s like we created a family. We started a new journey by doing UCA Camp, and although it was challenging, we are all talented athletes who have what it takes,” said Junior Jostine Zambrana.
Furthermore, Senior Tatiana Jimenez quoted, “no matter how hard it felt or how much we thought we were at our breaking point and couldn’t go anymore, the team always found a way to pick each other up and keep pushing through the long five and seven hour practices. I know that if we keep up the same perseverance and mindset we had this weekend, we can accomplish all of our goals!”
This weekend was only the beginning of RVC’s long journey to Nationals, and they couldn’t be more excited to cheer their way to the top!
