By Lee Trawick Riverbend News
From Monday, June 7, to Wednesday, June 9, Branford High School (BHS) hosted a three day cheer camp for the school's varsity and junior varsity squads in the school's gymnasium, located at 405 N. Rynolds St. To help run the camp, varsity cheerleading Coach Linda Whitley and junior varsity Coach Michelle Boone also invited the National Cheerleaders Association team (NCA).
The girls of Branford flourished under the direction of the NCA. Excited for the opportunity to enjoy three days together, the young ladies were also eager to learn. Among the attendees for both squads were: Senior Captain Brynsleigh Radford, Senior Co-Captain Caylee Boone, Senior Co-Captain Bryanna Mullins, Senior Co-Captain Zoe Richmond, as well as seniors Brianna Cannon and Alexis Hacht. Other members of the varsity squad included: Lexi Bartelme, Arieana Bustillo, Tori Hill, Lyndsey Raulerson, Robin Bass and Kelsea Corbin.
Under the guidance of Coach Boone, the junior varsity cheer squad was also in attendance for this opportunity to learn from and be evaluated by NCA staff. Included in this squad were: Captain Kaitlyn Williams, Co-Captain Sophia McCall, Co-Captain Layla Sedor, Madison Mikell and Ella Clark. First year cheerleaders Kylee Corbin, Jacey Roberts and Aliva Brown also attended.
Throughout the three day event, the young ladies were taught proper techniques and forms. There were also evaluations being conducted by the NCA staff for their own agenda, which was a chance at becoming an NCA All-American. Being named an NCA All-American would provide special opportunities for the selected girls to perform at the Varsity Spirit Thanksgiving Tour, held at Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, as well as the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade and even the honor of traveling to London, England, to perform in the New Year's Day Parade.
This event was meant for the young ladies to learn and grow as a cheer squad and as a team, but the honor of potentially becoming an All-American could not be ignored. While teaching and critiquing the young ladies on their jumps, motion, tumbling, stunting, dance and leadership, the looming presence of evaluations vastly filled the BHS gymnasium.
On Wednesday, June 9, after a grueling three day cheer camp, five BHS cheerleaders were selected to join the NCA All-American Team's 2021 cheer tour. Chosen from the junior varsity squad were eighth-graders Kaitlyn Williams and Sophia McCall. Chosen from the varsity squad were seniors Caylee Boone, Bryanna Mullins and Zoe Richmond.