The Oak Ridge Youth Association

Cheerleading

Oak Ridge Cheer Squad Places 5th at National Championship


Front row: Emma Kathryn Groves, Amanda Hamilton, Michelle Overcash, Anna-Claire Kewish, Kelly Kennedy, Emily Sharpe, Emily Jandzinkski, Lacy Hylton

Back row: Sarah Collins, Kailey Bridges, Kaitlyn Fenske, Amanda Parrish, Mary McClendon, Chloe Kantoria, Madison Bardsley, Samantha Tingler, Anna Boggs, Morgan Childress, Laken Walker, Taylor Dugan, Jessica Weaver, Rachel Gregory, Christina Fantaci, Tori Miller, Sarah Rossi

On December 4th, the Oak Ridge Colts Pee Wee Cheer Squad competed in the Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships at the Wide World of Sports at Disney World in Orlando, FL. The squad competed against 13 other squads from around the nation in the Pee Wee Large Novice division of the competition and came away with a 5th place finish. The squad advanced to the national championships by winning the Mid-South Pop Warner Cheer and Dance Competition and the Pop Warner Northwest Midget League Cheer and Dance Competition. The Mid South Region includes leagues in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Mid South League is comprised of 15 organizations from Guilford County, Forsyth County, and Stokes County. The participants in the Pop Warner program are unique as opposed to those of other programs. While they are taught about the values of competition, they are also maintaining their grades at a satisfactory level in order to attain the ultimate prize of being named a Pop Warner National Champion. 

The members of this squad include Madison Bardsley, Anna Boggs, Kailey Bridges, Morgan Childress, Sarah Collins, Taylor Dugan, Christina Fantaci, Kaitlyn Fenske, Rachel Gregory, Emma Kathryn Groves, Amanda Hamilton, Lacy Hylton, Emily Jandzinski, Chloe Kantoris, Kelly Kennedy, Anna-Claire Kewish, Mary McClendon, Tori Miller, Michelle Overcash, Amanda Parrish, Sarah Rossi, Emily Sharpe, Samantha Tingler, Laken Walker, and Jessica Weaver. They are coached by Aubrey Humphrey, Angie Walker, Julie Kewish, Rachel McMillen, and Melissa Weaver. We salute all the efforts and accomplishments of this squad.


Front row: Jessica Weaver, Emily Jandzinski, Michelle Overcash

Second row: Samantha Tingler, Lacy Hylton, Chloe Kantoris, Kelly Kennedy, Kaitlyn Fenske, Sarah Collins

Third row: Mary McClendon, Amanda Parrish, Rachel Gregory, Sarah Rossi, Taylor Dugan, Emily Sharpe, Laken Walker, Amanda Hamilton, Kailey Bridges
Back row: Melissa Weaver, Aubrey Humphrey (Head Coach), Tori Miller, Madison Bardsley, Anna-Claire Kewish, Anna Boggs, Morgan Childress, Emma Kathryn Groves, Christina Fantaci, Julia Kewish, Rachel McMillen, Angie Walker

The squad did an excellent job fundraising for the trip to Florida, which cost approximately $17,000. The Oak Ridge Youth Association contributed $8,000 from its travel fund; the other $9,000 was raised in two weeks by the squad and their families. Approximately $4,000 was raised through a Hannah Montana concert ticket raffle. The squad thanks Murphy-Wainer Orthopedic Specialists for donating the tickets for this raffle. They would also like to thank Carolina CAT, D.H. Griffin, GAC, Jimmy the Greek, Elizabeth's of Oak Ridge, Eagle Family Medicine at Oak Ridge, Professional Trailer Repair, Distribution Construction, Triad Roofing, Four Seasons Town Centre, and Bistro 150, who sponsored the squad for their trip to Florida. The Oak Ridge Youth Association will be holding registration for its 2008 football and cheer program in May. If you would like more information about the Oak Ridge program, please contact Tammy Overcash at (336) 643-2600 or visit the website at www.orya.org.

Oak Ridge Cheer Squad Wins First Regional Championship

On November 24th, the Oak Ridge Colts Pee Wee Cheer Squad competed in the Mid-South Pop Warner Regional Cheer and Dance Competition in Charlotte. The squad came away with a 1st place trophy and won the first Regional Championship for an Oak Ridge squad. The Mid-South Pop Warner Region includes leagues in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and over 100 different squads were represented at the regional competition. The participants in the Pop Warner program are unique as opposed to those of other programs. While they are taught about the values of competition, they are also maintaining their grades at a satisfactory level in order to attain the ultimate prize of being named a Pop Warner National Champion. 

The squad has now advanced to the Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships to be held in Orlando, Florida during the first week of December. The members of this squad include Madison Bardsley, Anna Boggs, Kailey Bridges, Morgan Childress, Sarah Collins, Taylor Dugan, Christina Fantaci, Kaitlyn Fenske, Rachel Gregory, Emma Kathryn Groves, Amanda Hamilton, Lacy Hylton, Emily Jandzinski, Chloe Kantoris, Kelly Kennedy, Anna-Claire Kewish, Mary McClendon, Tori Miller, Michelle Overcash, Amanda Parrish, Sarah Rossi, Emily Sharpe, Samantha Tingler, Laken Walker, and Jessica Weaver. We salute all the efforts and accomplishments that this squad has put forward!

The squad is currently trying to raise travel funds for their trip to Orlando and is seeking the assistance of corporate sponsors. They would like to thank Carolina Tractor, D.H. Griffin, and Bistro 150, who have already sponsored the squad. They would also like to thank Murphy Wainer Orthopedics for sponsoring their successful Hannah Montana ticket raffle. If your company is interested in making a donation to the squad or if you would like more information about the Oak Ridge cheerleading program, please contact Tammy Overcash at (336) 643-2600.