Thursday, September 26, 2024
The Gatesville High School cheer program recently attended the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp in Galveston.
“We started at 5:45 a.m. on Monday morning and didn’t stop until 11 a.m. on Thursday,” Cheer Director Amber Colson said. “They pushed through all the challenges and really grew as a team with skills, teamwork, and leadership.”
Both varsity and junior varsity teams received various awards for their hard work and determination to spread Hornet spirit throughout the camp.
The varsity team won the Small Varsity Spirit Championship, as well as being presented with ribbons for an evaluation sideline chant, an evaluation cheer, and an evaluation camp routine. They also received a spirit stick for three days of the camp and mascot Kari Dudik was awarded with a spirit stick each day of camp.
Captain Tiffany Kollman and Buzz the Hornet Kari Dudik were selected by the UCA for the “Pin it Forward Leadership Award.” The award goes to cheerleaders and mascots who show exemplary leadership skills both on and off the mat.
Seven Lady Hornets were also announced as All-Americans, which include Katie Hopson, Madisan Heimbuck, Brilee Ford, Paisley Wells, Kynlee Mangum, Jahaziel Martinez, and Kari Dudik.
Dudik was also able to achieve receiving one of the highest awards a mascot can receive at the camp, which was the Mascot Leadership Award. She was chosen out of each of the mascots who were present at the camp due to her exceptional leadership skills.
The junior varsity team was awarded fourth place in the Junior Varsity Spirit Championship.
The girls were also presented with ribbons for an evaluation sideline chant, an evaluation cheer, and an evaluation camp routine.
A spirit stick was given to the Lady Hornets each day of the camp for expressing sincere spirit and enthusiasm.
“This group worked so hard this week and I am proud of what they accomplished,” Colson said.
