November 14, 2019 at 11:25AM
Organization looking for sponsors, holding fundraiser Nov. 24
MEXICO — The Mexico Pop Warner JV cheerleading team has experienced a Cinderella-like story the past couple of years.
For the first time in the 25 years of the organization, the cheerleading squad is heading down to Florida in December to compete at the Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex.
The road to nationals was a long and tedious one for Mexico.
Last season, the team wasn't able to get past regional competition in New Jersey, however, they received a call that they were an at-large bid for nationals. The excitement of nationals, though, quickly disappeared after another call was made to say the at-large bid announcement was a mistake. This went back to how the organization felt stuck at regionals every season.
Despite the disappointment, Mexico faced adversity and went to work for the 2019 season.
"At first, there were lots of tears that came with the news, but after that is where the hard work started," Mexico coach Amber Uzailko-Raymond said.
The squad didn't expect much of a result in regionals, but after a solid performance this season, the team placed second at regional competition.
Before the cheerleaders and coaches were aware of it, Mexico received an automatic bid to nationals.
"We all just sat and looked at each other for a few minutes and then it sank in," Uzailko-Raymond said.
Uzailko-Raymond added, "This team learned a valuable lesson in the past year. People make mistakes and the one thing we can do from it is to grow and try harder next year and eventually you will hit your dream as this team did. Most of the girls on the team have been on it for more than four years trying to get (to nationals) and they finally did it for the first time ever."
Mexico has sent out sponsor letters to businesses and families for donations as they raise money for its trip to nationals. The team will also be holding a chicken barbecue fundraiser and raffling off prizes Sunday, Nov. 24, at Hazzy's Tavern in New Haven. Two of the prizes will be a 50-inch Vizio TV.
All sponsors will be showcased on the Mexico Pop Warner cheerleading Facebook page and the JV team's nationals T-shirt.
For more information, contact Uzailko-Raymond at auzailko@hotmail.com or 315-591-1275.
Organization looking for sponsors, holding fundraiser Nov. 24
MEXICO — The Mexico Pop Warner JV cheerleading team has experienced a Cinderella-like story the past couple of years.
For the first time in the 25 years of the organization, the cheerleading squad is heading down to Florida in December to compete at the Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex.
The road to nationals was a long and tedious one for Mexico.
Last season, the team wasn't able to get past regional competition in New Jersey, however, they received a call that they were an at-large bid for nationals. The excitement of nationals, though, quickly disappeared after another call was made to say the at-large bid announcement was a mistake. This went back to how the organization felt stuck at regionals every season.
Despite the disappointment, Mexico faced adversity and went to work for the 2019 season.
"At first, there were lots of tears that came with the news, but after that is where the hard work started," Mexico coach Amber Uzailko-Raymond said.
The squad didn't expect much of a result in regionals, but after a solid performance this season, the team placed second at regional competition.
Before the cheerleaders and coaches were aware of it, Mexico received an automatic bid to nationals.
"We all just sat and looked at each other for a few minutes and then it sank in," Uzailko-Raymond said.
Uzailko-Raymond added, "This team learned a valuable lesson in the past year. People make mistakes and the one thing we can do from it is to grow and try harder next year and eventually you will hit your dream as this team did. Most of the girls on the team have been on it for more than four years trying to get (to nationals) and they finally did it for the first time ever."
Mexico has sent out sponsor letters to businesses and families for donations as they raise money for its trip to nationals. The team will also be holding a chicken barbecue fundraiser and raffling off prizes Sunday, Nov. 24, at Hazzy's Tavern in New Haven. Two of the prizes will be a 50-inch Vizio TV.
All sponsors will be showcased on the Mexico Pop Warner cheerleading Facebook page and the JV team's nationals T-shirt.
For more information, contact Uzailko-Raymond at auzailko@hotmail.com or 315-591-1275.