By JACKIE HENRY
Managing Editor
jhenry@cherryroad.com
Tipton High School Cheerleaders recently attended the Varsity Spirit Spectacular event that Varsity Spirit hosts at Walt Disney World.
A group of 35 traveled to Orlando; which included 16 of the THS Cheerleaders and 19 adults including Taylor Martin and Morgan Quinn, cheerleading coaches. This also included six cheerleaders who are seniors this year.
This trip meant a lot to each of the senior cheerleaders.
“What made the trip so special to me was that I was fortunate enough to attend a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with some of the best people I know. Girls and parents alike were so kind and I’d like to think we represented Tipton very well. Thanks to our incredible coaches and parents, the trip was amazing, and I made memories that will last a lifetime,” said Avery Bitner.
“Something I learned from this trip, was just how much of an amazing group of girls we have! Everyone who attended the trip represented not only our school but the community so well. We all have been blessed with amazing coaches and we make up a truly great team! Getting the opportunity to perform down Main St. at Magic Kingdom as a group was so special,” Marisa Retherford said.
“My favorite part of the trip was when we rope-dropped together. It might have seemed like it was dreadful because we had to wake up so early despite not having enough sleep the night before but I think that it was such a good bonding experience. One memory that really stood out to me when we rope dropped was when we had a chain of about 25 people trying to get to the Avatar ride without losing anyone,” exclaimed Zsanelle Sagad.
“From being a THS cheerleader, my coaches and peers have always made it a point to teach us about the importance of presentation. How we present ourselves, especially when going as a team, reflects back to our cheer program as well as our school. It’s been instilled in me since joining this program that I present myself in a respectful, appropriate manner, which is exactly what myself and every one of us did during this trip. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and the way that my coaches have ingrained this aspect into every interaction,” states Savana Morris.
“I have been on four THS Cheer Disney trips. What makes this trip stand out from others is the squad I went with this year. Our THS cheer squad has represented our school and community very well in my opinion. This trip is such a cool and amazing experience that I’m glad our squad had the opportunity to go on. Our THS cheer squad was very polite and we were able to meet so many new people and have so many cool new experiences,” said Makayla Osbon
“To describe this opportunity to someone who hasn’t been before, I would say that it is exciting, challenging and rewarding. In the weeks leading up to the Varsity Spirit Spectacular, we are given a choreographed dance to have memorized by the time we are in Disney. We then have the option to try out to be in the front rows of the parade which is stressful, but also a huge accomplishment if you are placed there. While being in Disney, we are able to meet other cheerleaders and dancers from across the country, as well as build a stronger relationship with our teammates. The whole experience allows us to have fun, learn more about our teammates, and challenges us to learn something new,” states Emily Hartley
These girls, along with others from their squad and hundreds of cheerleaders from 45 states, performed in a parade down Main Street, USA at Magic Kingdom.
The girls were proud to represent Tipton and had a great time doing it!
