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Charles Echard

Writer at Tam O'Shanter

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." -Voltaire

Latest posts by Charles Echard (see all)

• Officials evaluate opioid abuse epidemic in Westmoreland County - May 22, 2017
• Opioid epidemic in Westmoreland County has officials struggling to find a solution - May 22, 2017
• Southmoreland graduate represents Boy Scouts of America at international conference - January 31, 2017

Sidelines, local parades, and basketball courts are typically the stage for cheerleaders to show their skills. But seniors Keera Frye, Kaitlyn Walch, and Haley Rollinson experienced a new stage in early December: Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Their trip was made possible through their participation in Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Varsity Summer Camp as well as countless fundraising efforts, including their famous Texas Roadhouse Dinner Roll Sale earlier this year.

Their determination paid off when the trio were able to perform side-by-side in a pre-parade performance orchestrated by Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), Universal Dance Association (UDA), National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), National Dance Alliance (NDA), United Spirit Association (USA), and Walt Disney World, during which the three seniors were able to perform in front of hundreds of Disney World visitors from around the globe.

“It was exhilarating,” said Frye. “So many people were excited to watch us, and it finally felt like all the fundraising and practicing had paid off.”

Walch said that it was an experience that “I won’t soon forget.”

Being part of the Varsity Spirit Spectacular Performance was not the extent of the three seniors’ trip to Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to the parade, the cheerleaders also had opportunities to meet other cheerleaders and dancers from across the country and, of course, take advantage of the trademark attractions at the resort.

“The rides were so much fun and I enjoyed the parks,” said Frye. “But the best part was being a part of something with my friends and with hundreds of other cheerleaders who love cheerleading and dance as much as I do.”

The consensus from all three of the Scottie cheerleaders seems to be that they wish they could go back to the land of Mickey Mouse, but they agree even more that the experience was simply once in a lifetime.