By Cheyanne Admire

In 2020, Ruston High School’s cheerleading squad was crowned National Champions in Orlando, Florida. In February of 2022, they are heading back to the Walt Disney World Resort and hoping to achieve the same goal. 

Earlier this month, the competition cheerleading team was named UCA Regional Champions after their competition in Hammond. Their performance earned them a bid to the UCA Nationals.

According to Varsity, the host of the event, the team will not be able to participate in any other cheerleading event that is promoted as a national or international competition because they are competing in this specific event. This means they get one shot each year, which forces them to work hard to achieve their dream. 

The team has practices every day at school and even on their personal time. Members of the squad shared that they are always exhausted after practice, which is understandable considering that they have to prepare a performance routine and a game day division chant. 

Sometimes, the squad will get together just to do bonding exercises to make the girls closer; therefore, more trusting of each other when doing tricky stunts. One example of this would be when the girls got together after practice to make “family bracelets” with the word “together” engraved on them. 

Additionally, the Ruston High Competition Team likes to offer events, such as its cheer clinic, for free. This way, anyone can participate without the worry of spending money. Therefore, donations for the squad are appreciated. 

The cheerleading team is currently a four-time national champion and a seven-time Louisiana state champion.

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