BRYANT LAKE – For the sixth consecutive year, the Norwich Purple Tornado Cheerleading team attended a four-day overnight camp through the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Cheerleading Camp. This camp provides high quality educational training for college and high school cheerleaders through summer camps or clinics.  Camps and clinics are held annually on college and high school campuses all over the world. They are run by current and former college cheerleaders that are now on staff for UCA.
Throughout the four days, the team was taught many new skills such as sidelines and timeout cheers, band dances and dance routines. The girls work on many skills to improve their jumps, motions, stunts and pyramids. UCA holds classes with the teams at camp to learn about leadership, team bonding, and dedication to their sport.
Four Norwich cheerleaders tried out for the camp’s All-American award in front of over 100 camp participants, performing different cheerleading skills. Over 40 cheerleaders tried out at Brant Lake. Of the recipients, all four Norwich cheerleaders were awarded as All Americans. The four winners of the All-American title from Norwich High School were Katie Doliver, Mya Loughren, Natalie Parry and Amber Tierney.
The three upperclassmen cheerleaders – Doliver, Loughren and Tierney – now have the opportunity to travel to London, England to participate as an All American Cheerleader in the London New Year’s Day parade on January 1, 2019. Each cheerleader needs to raise approximately $5,000 to take this once in a lifetime trip to London. Over the course of the next few months, several fundraisers will be organized to help the three girls.
At all Norwich home football games, and any events that the cheerleaders are participating at, donation jars will be present. The girls will also be running the 50/50 raffle at all home JV Football games. The cheerleaders and their families will be selling cider, donuts, Norwich gear and other goodies at all Saturday In the Park events in West Park.
Their current fundraiser that is occurring is a chicken BBQ at Saturday in the Park. On Saturday, October 13, the cheerleader’s families will have chicken from Clark & Sons to be picked up at the event. Pre-orders are happening now.
Those who wish to place an order may do so by ordering from the cheerleaders’ booth at Saturday in the Park or contacting head coach Marie DeSarro. Orders due by October 5 with chicken halves at $6 each or chicken dinners for $10. Pre-orders are preferred.
Other upcoming fundraisers being planned include a Nina’s Give Back Night on Monday, October 1. Be on the look out for advertisements of an upcoming community breakfast and/or dinner.
Monetary donations to help fund the girls trip are also being accepted. Please contact Coach Marie DeSarro if interested in making a donation (mtdesarro@gmail.com or call 607-316-0763)  Donations can also be mailed to Norwich HS Cheerleading Boosters, PO Box 943, Norwich, NY 13815. Checks can be made out to Norwich HS Cheerleading Boosters (memo: London Trip).