For the first time in the school’s history, the junior varsity cheerleading team at Kennedy High School recently competed in the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida.
“Since December we have been practicing up to five days per week to prepare,” said coach Linda Leonardo. “We had less than two months to fundraise for the entire trip and would not have made it there without the help of our parents and sponsors.”
Leonardo explained the squad had a “rough warm up” prior to their Feb. 11 competition held at the ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex in the Pavilion.
“However, once they hit the mat their focus changed and they performed that routine like I had never seen before,” she added. “They had a perfect hit. No deductions. This was something we were hoping for when we got to nationals.”
The team finished in 12th place and looks forward to heading back next year.