Tullahoma had nine middle-school cheerleaders selected as All-Americans, with several accepting invitations to participate in a Thanksgiving performance at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
East Middle School had six students named All-Americans and invited to participate in the Disney holiday festivities. Those students are Sophia Moore, Addy Crader, Harper Hill, Brianna Witham, Alayah Pack, and Madi Martinez.
West Middle School had three cheerleaders selected to participate in the Thanksgiving performance. Those students are Evalyn Carter, Lyndlee Jones, and Callie Murray.
“I’m super excited to perform in the parade because it’s Disney World and Thanksgiving, and I’m thankful that I was chosen out of many cheerleaders to be given this opportunity,” said Lyndlee Jones. “I’m looking forward to cheering in the parade with all the other cheerleaders from all over America and making new friends and seeing all the happy faces of my family and kids as we walk through performing.”
These nine students are part of a selected group of cheerleaders and dancers chosen as All-Americans during Varsity Spirit summer camps nationwide. All-Americans are selected via tryout based on either superior cheerleading or dance skills at camps operated by Universal Cheerleaders Association, Universal Dance Association, National Cheerleaders Association, National Dance Alliance, or Urban Cheerleading Experience. Only the top 15 percent of the cheerleaders and dancers from Varsity Spirit camps earn the chance to march in a holiday parade of this caliber.
These cheerleaders will perform with the Varsity Spirit All-Americans in a one-of-a-kind performance through Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park during Thanksgiving week. Besides enjoying a sunny trip to Orlando, these All-Americans will have the opportunity to meet other cheerleaders and dancers from across the nation and enjoy a magical holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort parks.
“I am very excited to perform at the Magic Kingdom and meet other cheerleaders from all over the United States,” said Callie Murray. “Getting to experience Thanksgiving Day at Disney World with my family, seeing my youngest siblings experience Disney for the first time, and seeing all of the Christmas decorations is what I am most looking forward to that day.”
While all the cheerleaders are thrilled to participate in the parade, some are excited about the Disney experience. As Evalyn Carter points out, she already knows what parks and rides she wants to visit.
“I am really looking forward to spending Thanksgiving Day with my friends and family at Disney and riding Mount Everest and revisiting Epcot,” said Evalyn Carter.
While not all TCS cheerleaders invited to Disney World will be attending, they are still celebrating their success after being named All-Americans.
“I was very excited to be selected as an All-American cheerleader,” said Harper Hill. “This is my second year to cheer, and the first time I could try out. I appreciate my cheer coaches and older cousin for all the time, practice, and encouragement spent preparing for this season. It is an honor to be selected, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to cheer alongside so many of my friends.”
Her teammate Madi Martinez will also not attend the Thanksgiving event and added that she was thrilled to be named an All-American. She wished all of those attending the Disney holiday event all the success.
“It is an honor to be selected as an all-American cheerleader,” said Madi Martinez. “I was super excited to hear my name called during cheer camp this year. My friends and I have worked very hard to strengthen and encourage each other. I have been in cheer since third grade with Frank Mullins and now my middle school team at East Middle. I have been attending an amazing tumbling class here in Tullahoma since the fourth grade and helping with strengthening and conditioning for all our stunts during our games and performances. I wish all the cheerleaders amazing luck in Orlando this year.”
The Thanksgiving Day performance will occur at Magic Kingdom at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time. The Team Minnie performance will start at Splash Mountain, go around Liberty Square, and then down Main Street in front of Cinderella’s castle.
“To have nine students be named All-Americans and be invited to represent Tullahoma at Disney World speaks highly of their talent,” said TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens. “Achieving All-American status is not easy, and this reflects the hard work each of these students has put toward cheerleading. Having this many students selected to represent TCS also highlights our outstanding cheerleading programs and their coaches here in Tullahoma.”
