March 11, 2019 at 09:31AM
Tara Embrey, the owner and director of Midwest Storm Cheer, Tumbling & Parkour, knows how difficult it can be to cheer competitively, especially when it's on a national stage.
Her Level-5 team (one of the highest levels in cheering), recently received a bid to the world championships of All-Star Cheerleading in Orlando, Florida, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. But that isn't all. Her younger, Level-1 team received a bid to The Summit, the most prestigious competition in All-Star Cheering.
Leading up to April and May, Embrey and her teams will fundraise to help them get to the Disney Resort, where they'll be staying for the duration of the competitions.
"We do a lot of fundraising. It can become very expensive as you can imagine," Embrey said.
And that fundraising can take many different forms, from selling trash bags, Red Wheel and Scentsy products, to holding pancake breakfasts.
All the while, those planning to make the trip in just a few months will be practicing two days each week, and as the competition draws nearer, sometimes more.
On top of school, many of the girls and boys involved have to make an effort to stay organized, competitive and driven.
"In school cheering, they're there to support the team and promote school spirit. What we do is competitive, so people come to watch us. A lot of our kids do both," Embrey explained. "And we try to work around (school) as much as possible, because I know it's so important for the kids to be involved in things in school. We've been fortunate to have some great coaches that work for us too, because they know that both are important."
For Braley Peterson, a Savannah Middle School student and member of the Level-5 team going to Orlando who has spent seven years at Midwest Storm Cheer, working around practice and school requires efficiency.
"I try to do my schoolwork before practice, and I try to study as much as I can on the way to practice and on the way home," she said. "But I just love the sport and the team bond that we all have."
Sarah Parton, a member of the Level-1 team, echoed Peterson, saying that all of the effort is worthwhile.
"I enjoy that I get to be here with the team," Parton said. "They're like a big family to me, and I hope that I get to do this again next year."
Embrey said the exercise is fantastic for the children's health, while the schedule and regimen helps them to learn time management, teamwork and trust.
"The sport itself has gained a lot of attention and energy over the last several years, and it's evolving into something really amazing," Embrey said.
Tara Embrey, the owner and director of Midwest Storm Cheer, Tumbling & Parkour, knows how difficult it can be to cheer competitively, especially when it's on a national stage.
Her Level-5 team (one of the highest levels in cheering), recently received a bid to the world championships of All-Star Cheerleading in Orlando, Florida, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. But that isn't all. Her younger, Level-1 team received a bid to The Summit, the most prestigious competition in All-Star Cheering.
Leading up to April and May, Embrey and her teams will fundraise to help them get to the Disney Resort, where they'll be staying for the duration of the competitions.
"We do a lot of fundraising. It can become very expensive as you can imagine," Embrey said.
And that fundraising can take many different forms, from selling trash bags, Red Wheel and Scentsy products, to holding pancake breakfasts.
All the while, those planning to make the trip in just a few months will be practicing two days each week, and as the competition draws nearer, sometimes more.
On top of school, many of the girls and boys involved have to make an effort to stay organized, competitive and driven.
"In school cheering, they're there to support the team and promote school spirit. What we do is competitive, so people come to watch us. A lot of our kids do both," Embrey explained. "And we try to work around (school) as much as possible, because I know it's so important for the kids to be involved in things in school. We've been fortunate to have some great coaches that work for us too, because they know that both are important."
For Braley Peterson, a Savannah Middle School student and member of the Level-5 team going to Orlando who has spent seven years at Midwest Storm Cheer, working around practice and school requires efficiency.
"I try to do my schoolwork before practice, and I try to study as much as I can on the way to practice and on the way home," she said. "But I just love the sport and the team bond that we all have."
Sarah Parton, a member of the Level-1 team, echoed Peterson, saying that all of the effort is worthwhile.
"I enjoy that I get to be here with the team," Parton said. "They're like a big family to me, and I hope that I get to do this again next year."
Embrey said the exercise is fantastic for the children's health, while the schedule and regimen helps them to learn time management, teamwork and trust.
"The sport itself has gained a lot of attention and energy over the last several years, and it's evolving into something really amazing," Embrey said.