June 7 through June 10 Italy’s varsity cheer squad attended the ’09 UCA Cheer Camp in Waco. The UCA camps separate the cheerleaders and mascots which helped the two develop the desired traits needed to become the best. Four days of hard work payed off with several awards for the Italy squad and mascot.

In addition to learning new cheers, chants and dances there were several contests starting with the Jump-Off. A Jump-Off is a competition where all of the cheerleaders compete against each other with their best jumps. Competiting in the Jump-Off from Italy was: Seniors Drew Windham and Cori Jeffords and Sophomore Beverly Barnhart. Drew Windham advanced to the final round.

During the third day of the camp, the All-American Competition was held. This competition is the most mind boggling of all competitions for the cheerleaders and mascots. The cheerleaders were grouped into threes and preformed the “X-treme routine”, a dance and a cheer.

After much debate only one cheerleader from Italy decided to step up and take the All-American Challenge. “At first, I wasn’t sure,” stated Cori Jeffords (Senior), “but after my mom and my coach encouraged me… I decided to go for it.”

During the All-American Competition, the mascots must create an original skit using music, props and crowd interaction. The Italy mascot, Bianca Evans had called a meeting the night before about ideas for a skit. After brainstorming, an idea popped up and a skit was made and performed during All-American competition.

Both Cori and Bianca were awarded All-American medals.

The last day of camp consisted of a final display of the cheers and routines that were learned in the past four days. The camp concluded with the Mascot Follies.

After the 4 days at camp, Italy walked away with these awards:

Varsity Cheerleaders’ Awards

• June.7
  a superior rating

• June.8
  a superior rating
  a spirit stick

• June.9
  a superior rating
  All American Medal Winner: Cori Jeffords

• June. 10
  a superior rating
  a spirit stick

• Three Trophies;
  1st X-treme Routine
  2nd Cheer
  and Overall Camp Champs

Mascot Awards

• June.7
  a spirit stick

• June.8
  two excellent ratings
  a spirit stick

• June.9
  a spirit stick
  two superior ratings
  All-American Metal Winner: Bianca Evans

• June.10
  a spirit stick
  a UCA team effort award
  two superior ratings

• Trophy
  A Superior Mascot