March 20, 2019 at 09:32PM
All-Americans participate in New Year's Day Parade
NORWICH – With the help of the small town community members, three Norwich cheerleaders – Katie Doliver, Mya Loughren and Amber Tierney – were able to take a trip "across the pond" and participate in the London New Year's Day Parade.
In August, the Norwich High School cheerleaders attended a 3-day Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) summer camp, in Brant Lake, NY. During this camp, cheerleaders were invited to try out to be an All-American Cheerleader.
In front of all their camp peers (approximately 200 cheerleaders, coaches and UCA staff), the girls trying out had to perform a jump, cheer and dance routine. They were judged by UCA staff and
All-Americans participate in New Year's Day Parade
NORWICH – With the help of the small town community members, three Norwich cheerleaders – Katie Doliver, Mya Loughren and Amber Tierney – were able to take a trip "across the pond" and participate in the London New Year's Day Parade.
In August, the Norwich High School cheerleaders attended a 3-day Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) summer camp, in Brant Lake, NY. During this camp, cheerleaders were invited to try out to be an All-American Cheerleader.
In front of all their camp peers (approximately 200 cheerleaders, coaches and UCA staff), the girls trying out had to perform a jump, cheer and dance routine. They were judged by UCA staff and approximately 20 of the girls were deemed All-Americans.
Seniors Doliver and Loughren along with junior Tierney and eighth Grader Natalie Parry were among those 20 who tried out and were all awarded the All-American honor.
With this award, the three upperclassmen were given the opportunity to travel to London and participate in a week-long trip full of sightseeing, bonding with cheerleaders from across the US, and the highlight of the trip – performing in the London New Year's Day Parade.
The trio of Norwich cheerleaders all decided that they would like to try and fund raise the money in order to take part in the trip. Over several short months, the girls, along with the strong support of their families, the Norwich Cheerleading Booster Club and community supporters, raised the funds needed to take the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
Norwich Cheerleading Head Coach Marie DeSarro also decided on making the trip to support her cheerleaders.
"Being nominated as an UCA All-American Cheerleader was a true honor," said Loughren. "I had tried out three times before I was chosen so I feel my hard work and dedication to the sport had paid off."
On December 26, the girls and and Coach DeSarro started their week-long trip with a drive from Norwich to the Newark International Airport for what was an eight-hour, overnight flight to England. "None of the girls had ever traveled abroad, so the trip was both exciting and nerve-wracking for them," said DeSarro.
Prior to the flight, the four met up over 50 other All-American's and their families at the gate that were also traveling from New Jersey.
"My favorite memory from the London trip was when I was talking to one of the girls I met on the trip about the "Friends" episode we had both watched," said Tierney. "One of the characters says 'London Baby!' so every time I saw my new friend on the trip, I would say that to her."
For the next week, the trio of cheerleaders and their coach enjoyed the company of an amazing group of cheerleaders, some with their families, some without.
"On our first day we found ourselves recovering from jet lag but excited to get the week started," said DeSarro. The Norwich ladies stayed close to the hotel area but experience some of the many Christmas festivals nearby.
On their second day of touring, the Norwich ladies boarded a coach and took a day-long tour around Windsor Castle to see how the royals live in England. "What an amazing structure and such beautiful rooms with so much history," said DeSarro.
Later that evening were treated to an amazing show, seeing "Wicked" in the West End theatre district.
..