What sports/events do you cheer at?

The Bears cheer for both football and basketball as well as any and all Bridgewater State pep-rallies.

Where do you attend summer camp? What is your most memorable camp moment?

We attend the NCA College summer camp held at Boston University. Our most memorable camp moment would have to be meeting our NCA "Buddy" Joey Delaney. He taught us alot skill wise and well as supporting our teammates and being there for one another. He helped us start off the year on the right foot.

What are your goals this year or every year as a squad?

Our goal this and every year is to improve as a team. We start off each season with an individual goal card, listing two or three skills to work on. When we accomplish that skill it gets crossed off on our card. They way we look at it, as long as each person has at least one thing crossed off by the end of the season we've all gotten better and that's what really matters.

What is your vision of an ideal squad?

Our vision of an ideal squad is one that thinks of themselves as family. Since we are a college team, most of us don't have our actual families close to us so we try to fill those roles for each other as best as we can. We do this by being there and supporting one another, not just in cheerleading but in school (helping each other with homework or studying together) and even in life. We are each other’s family, each others best friends. Most of us end up being dorm-mates or even getting apartments together.

Does your squad have any special traditions regarding game cheering, team building, pep rallies, etc.?

We have "cheer socials" once every couple of months to play games, get to know each other better, and watch videos from prior nationals. It helps remind us why we work so hard and brings us even closer as a team.

What kind of fundraising do you do?

We host Vacation Cheer Camps for youth and high school kids as well as tumbling clinics. We love to share our cheerleading knowledge with aspiring cheerleaders just like our coaches did with us. Also we host parent nights-out where we babysit and play games with kids on Friday nights to give their parents a chance to go out together and have a night out. Sponsors are also a huge part of our fundraising. We get sponsored by numerous local businesses and put their names on the back of our nationals t-shirts.

List squad honors/awards received in cheerleading.

Second place at the NCA Collegiate Nationals with a score of 8.902, breaking every school record including highest finish and highest score

What is the greatest award you have been awarded as a team?

Second place at the 2009 NCA Collegiate Nationals

Explain exactly how it felt (in detail) when you received that award/honor.

Just being on the finals mat after years of hard work was extraordinary. Every time they would call another place and it wasn't us we would just look at each other shocked. Once they got to the top three we were already crying. We have always believed in ourselves, but this meant that everyone else thought we were good and was recognizing it. When they called us as second place in the nation we were ecstatic. It truly did feel like first, and if you had seen the expression on our faces you would have thought we won. It took about an hour for all of us to stop crying, we knew we had worked so hard, and it definitely payed off. If you ask any of us, it was not only the most amazing experience but also the happiest day of our lives.

Tradition:

On the night before the basketball season starts, we have a huge pep-rally called Midnight Madness. It is the night where the basketball team is introduced to the campus. All the spirit groups preform, and we play alot of games, including tug of wars and relays races. It is a great way to kick off the season and always guaranteed to be alot of fun for everyone.

Pep Rally idea:

"So You Think You Can Cheer"- We pick random people from the audience, and they have a "cheer-off" to funny music like "Hey Mickey". The audiences applause chooses the winner.

Bonding activity:

Although this isn't quite something we came up with, camp is normally our best bonding experience. The team is still new to each other and by spending three days non-stop together we really come back a unit and it's a great way to start off the season.

Do you currently have any goals you have set for yourself in cheerleading?

I would love to make my senior squad! I have been very fortunate to have awesome coaches in my life! I would like to pay my respects to the following awesome coaches: Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Jenny, Mrs. Clemmons, Mr. & Mrs. Stott, Mr. & Mrs. Brian & Emily, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Lavine, Mr. Joey, Ms. Kristy, Ms. Sarah, Ms. Suzy, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Tres, Ms. Carissa, Mr. Chris, Mr. Eric and Mr. Dan. I would also love to cheer for Duke University! I have set many goals for myself in tumbling, and I really need to strive to work hard on my standing tumbling. I love to work on my running tumbling so much that my standing tumbling could use some work.

What do you like most about cheerleading?

I really love running tumbling and the awesome dance routines we learn. I am excited about my full and working on my double-full. My favorite jump is the “Hurdler.” I also really enjoy the awesome friends I’ve made while cheering.

How have you used the values you've learned in cheerleading in your "real" life?

The values that I have learned from cheerleading have been very productive in my “real” life experiences. My coaches have taught me how to be an outstanding teen, both as a cheerleader and in my everyday life. My values come from God. I use my Christian faith as the route of my soul and spirit. Cheerleading has given me a platform in which to share compassion and love for others. I like to support my peers and cheer them on toward their successes in life.

List any other extra-curricular activities or athletics you are involved in:

School Athletics: Gresham Cheerleader-MVP, Gibbs High School Varsity Football Cheerleader Lettered and All Star Recipient- three years, Gibbs High School-Junior Varsity Basketball- three years/Varsity-one year, Gibbs High School Varsity Tennis/Varsity-two years. Other Activities: Girl’s of Grace Beta Club Countywide/Statewide Math Representative, Knoxville Academy Dance Instructor, 4-H Clover Queen, 4-H Honor Member, 4-H Sewing Camp at the University of Tennessee Agriculture Campus (seven years), Chorus Concerts: African-All Choral Arrangements, Duck Tales & Bobby Socks-Introduction Solo, Dance Duo, and All Choral Arrangements, Grease & Hairspray-All Girls Chorus-All Choral Arrangements, and the Tennessee Valley Fair-Youth Talent Show

List any community service or volunteer work you are involved in:

I have been a Volunteer every year for three years for the Teen Board/Community Service organization. The Teen Board is a non-profit organization that offers teens the opportunity to help with volunteer service hours and taking the lead in civic and welfare work to raise social and moral standards; for example: Teen Board Projects, National Foundation of the March of Dimes, St. Jude Walkathon, Children’s Hospital Fantasy of Trees, Children’s Hospital Gingerbread Houses and Donated Supplies, Empty Stocking Fund, Milk Fund, Salvation Army, Public TV, Dogwoods Art, Ijams Nature Center, Wesley House Stuffed Animal, Fall Family Festival-Knoxville Police Department, Christmas Ornament Donation, Knoxville Museum of Art, Dogwood Arts-Home & Garden Showcase, and Second Harvest Food Bank. I am also the proud founder of my own club called Dizney Debutantes. My club is a community service program and we are very visible within our community. Our club motto is “You are never too young to be a role model”. We have members in Tennessee, Kentucky, Minnesota, England, and Germany. We also work on building self-esteem by participating in dance competitions, academic bowls, career workshops, make-up workshops, safety workshops, and much more. We have partnered with the Dosomething Program which makes our organization linked to more global resources.

Cheerleading honors/awards received with your team:

I have cheered for Premier Sharks of Knoxville, Tennessee for six years on teams Baby Sharks, Youth Pacific, Junior Prep, Junior Co-Ed, and Mako, Mako Sharks was the only team in the gym to have an undefeated season. I have also won several regional and national competitions with these teams.

Cheerleading honors/awards received individually:

Gresham Cheerleader-MVP, Gibbs High School Varsity Football Cheerleader Lettered and All Star Recipient-three years, first place in solo, duo, small, large, production in cheer and dance competitions at Disney, Christian Fellowship (FCC) Solo- Open National Cheer Winner- two years, Christian Fellowship (FCC) Solo-Open National Dance Winner-one year, Christian Fellowship (FCC) Duo-Open National Dance Winner -one year, UDA-Solo-National and Regional Winner-two years, UCA-Solo-National and Regional Winner-two years

Food:

Hot Dogs and Peas

Music:

Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift

Store:

Aeropostale, Ralph Lauren, and the Disney Store

Place to hang out:

Teen Board of Knoxville

Workout routine:

I am on the Gibbs High School basketball team, and we run and practice drills. Coach Scotty, Coach Bray, and Coach Everette keep us in shape! I also play tennis, and Coach Kerns allows me to hustle and work hard when I play singles and doubles.

GPA:

3.0

Dance experience:

I started dancing when I was 10 years old for a team called Dragon Dancers. I eventually traded in for studio dancing. Now that I am in high school, I dance for Collierville Varsity Pom.

Sports/events/activities you have danced for:

Studio 413 and Collierville Varsity Pom athletics

What made you decide to become a dancer?

My older sister danced, and I wanted to be just like her. When I was old enough to try out, I did. Thankfully, I made the team, and I have been dancing ever since!

What do you like most about dance?

I LOVE being in front of a crowd and entertaining them with my talents.

Do you currently have any goals you have set for yourself in dance?

I want to have an awesome senior year and successfully make the University of Memphis Pom Team.

List any community service or volunteer work you are involved in:

Special Education Helper and Office Helper

Describe any other talents/special interests/hobbies you may have:

I am very flexible when it comes to dance, and I love anything to do with fashion or art.

Describe your future college or career plans:

I plan on attending the University of Memphis and major in Fashion Design with a minor in Art. While in college, I want to dance for the nationally ranked pom team. Once I graduate from college I would love to work for Varsity and design dance/ cheer uniforms.

Dance honors/awards received:

First place in Category at a recent competition, an invitation to compete in Miss Dance, “Jazz Queen” the last two years, and chosen as a Varsity model

Honors/awards received at school or in your community:

Honor Roll and Community Service Excellence

What award/honor are you most proud of receiving?

Last October, I was chosen as a Varsity Spirit Fashions model.

Explain exactly how you felt when you received that award/honor.

When my mom told me that I was chosen to be in the Varsity catalog, I was SO excited. When I arrived in Dallas for the photo shoot, I met some of the most amazing people ever. I will never forget how much fun and how much of an honor it is to be a Varsity Spirit Fashions model.

Food:

Mac & Cheese

TV Show:

What Not to Wear

Music:

Country

Place to hang out:

My house

Workout routine:

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, and more DANCE!

What sports/events do you dance at?

Our team dances at all home varsity football and basketball games, along with our school’s Homecoming assembly, fall pep rally, and other selected shows. We attend three to four competitions per year, including NDA Dance Nationals in Orlando.

What are your goals this year or every year as a team?

Our main goal as a team was to keep focused and prove to ourselves that we can do anything, regardless of what other people say. From the success of previous years past and loss of members from the team, many people doubted our team had what it took to make it to the top. Our drive for wanting to show everyone that we are a great team without the past members kept us strong and humble throughout the season. Another goal we have as a team is to have peace among everyone. Added drama creates stress for everybody and giving their routines all they can. Our team is full of genuinely kind hearted people who look out for each other as if it was our family. Our strong bond helps to give everyone determination to do their best.

Share an individual or team special interest story…

A massive blizzard hit Springfield, Virginia in the winter of 2010. This blizzard caused all schools in our county to be closed for a few weeks, which were crucial to our upcoming competitions (nationals was only two weeks away)! Our team pulled together by trying our best as soon as the weather cleared up. We practiced day and night to make up for our missed time!

Does your team have any special traditions regarding game dancing, team building, pep rallies, etc.? .

One of our favorite team traditions is performing “Thriller” every year around Halloween time. All of us dress up in our favorite Halloween costumes, and perform Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” at the football team’s closest home game to Halloween. Also every year around Halloween, we take a field trip to a local haunted forest. Inside, there are trails leading you through a forest full of haunting scenes, houses, people, and sights. In our down time, we love to play ninja! It’s a game where you try to hit your opponents hands by making one, ninja like, movement at a time.

Describe any community service you do as a team.

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, our team was invited to perform at a Haiti Benefit show at our school. Although it was after our season officially ended, we came together to perform our National Championship hip hop routine one last time to help raise money going to benefit those who lost so much.

What do you do as a team to encourage spirit-raising at your school?

Our team performs at home varsity football and basketball games, pep rallies, and assemblies, but our main spirit-raising performance is our Homecoming assembly. For Homecoming assembly, we use theatrics, props, tricks, and lighting effects. Our school looks forward to this every year. This year, we used black light tricks and our signature Joker theme from the movie "The Dark Night," creating a routine where our dancers floated, levitated, and did gravity-defying tricks, which got our school cheering at their feet.

Honors and Awards:

National Champs and “Showmanship Award” at the NDA National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Florida (2010), first place and Grand Champs and the “Crowd Appeal” award at the American University Dance Team Competition (2010), first place and Division Champs at the George Mason University Dance Team Invitational (2009). “Outstanding Choreography” award, first place at the UDA Fairfax Dance Classic 2009, and “Best Choreography Award”

What is the greatest award you have been awarded as a team?

Our greatest achievement is becoming 2010 National Champions in the Medium Varsity Hip-Hop category at NDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida.

Explain exactly how it felt (in detail) when you received that award/honor.

After we danced in finals, all of us knew that no matter how we placed we were happy with our results. We knew that we had done our best, and that was enough for us. Sitting on stage at the final awards ceremony, all of us, including Coach Perez and Coach King, were gleaming with a job well done but nervous to hear our final result. Once our name was announced as the first place team, we all went bananas. We are extremely honored to receive such an award and will never forget it.

Fundraiser:

Holding dance camps! We love interacting with the kids who attend and teaching them fun routines, new technique, and hip hop style!

Pep Rally idea:

At our pep rallies, we like to do hip hop dances since our school always enjoys it!

Dance:

Our favorite dance routine is our national’s hip hop routine, the Joker routine, taking as many elements for the movie “The Dark Night” as possible! We put so much into that routine, and will never forget it.

Bonding activity:

As we are constantly exercising, we love to eat together! It’s a way for us to regain our energy and be goofy together at the same time!