The award-winning cheerleading squad at Monsignor Edward Pace High School has another set of trophies to add to its mantle after placing first among 11 other South Florida high schools and winning the Overall Spirit and Leadership awards at the Universal Cheerleaders Association Camp Championship at Nova Southeastern University from July 22 through 25.
The Spartan cheerleaders spent several weeks training inside the Pace Spartan Center, laying out mats across the entire floor to practice their routines and hone their tumbling, aerials, dismounts, and other techniques. The Spartan cheerleaders led by coaches Victoria Marino, a Pace Class of 2013 alumna, and Chelsea Zeigler, Pace Class of 2011, then traveled to Nova for the four-day camp, staying overnight in the Leo Goodwin Sr. Residence Hall.
Participating in the camp’s advanced program, the Pace squad focused on improving their stunt skills and practicing different routines. All of their efforts paid off in their final performance on July 25, where they were ranked the highest out of all the squads by UCA college professionals and took home the First Place trophy.
On top of this judges’ award, the Spartan cheerleaders received the camp’s Leadership award as voted on by the other squads and coaches for showcasing the best leadership and cheerleader qualities of respect, treatment of others and teamwork.
The Spartan cheerleaders were most excited to win, of all things, a giant inflatable banana. The banana was the Overall Spirit award given out by the UCA, and it was something the Spartan cheerleaders had been trying to win for years, even going as far as to bring signs to the camp’s opening ceremonies referencing it. This year, they finally got “their banana” to top off the rest of their awards.