Madison Contreras

Writer

Flying their way into Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 27, 2019, seven of Marlow High School’s Cheerleaders began to prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After attending a National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Spirit Camp at the University of Oklahoma, the MHS Cheerleaders earned their spot to cheer in the Citrus Bowl Pre-Game performance through receiving the Superior Overall Team Trophy.

Throughout the school year, the MHS Cheerleaders sold chocolate bars and spirit shits as a way of funding their trip.

In the course of a week, the MHS Cheer squad, hosted by Varsity Spirit, explored the four Disney theme parks and rehearsed for the pregame performance.

The cheerleaders discovered EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom.

On Jan. 1, 2020, before the Michigan versus Alabama game, 750 cheerleaders from around the nation prepared to perform in front of 60,000 fans.

Recognizing the difference in population, sophomore Danielle Gill commented on how she felt during the performance.

“It was kind of nerve wracking performing at the Citrus Bowl because of everyone around you,” Gill said. “It’s really different because in Marlow you know almost everyone in the stands, but in Florida, it’s people from all over the nation.”

Inspiring the MHS Cheerleaders to continue competing for a spot in the Citrus Bowl Pre-Game performance, the squad has earned a place to cheer in Florida the past two years.

Explaining the importance behind the team’s attendance in Florida, Cheer Coach Amy Herchock states the event gives the cheerleaders something to look forward to.

“The motivation behind competing is giving the girls something to reach for that allows them to feel like they can reward themselves for their efforts of what they do year round,” said Herchock. “They still have to be motivated to achieve the invitation to go and be motivated to raise money to be able to go, but I think it gives them something they are able to do as a squad that involves cheerleading and brings a positive light to the community of Marlow.”

Acknowledging how the event is allowing MHS to transcend, senior Valhana Woods described what performing at the Citrus Bowl did for the community of Marlow.

“This is such an important thing for Marlow because this isn’t something we normally do,” said Woods. “We don’t go anywhere that big that often, so it shows that Marlow is growing and that we can be something bigger than ourselves.”

As the MHS Cheerleaders continue their journey performing in the Citrus Bowl, the town of Marlow will be cheering loudly for them.