JV CHEERLEADERS TAKE HOME THE MGN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

(#0544 RIVERHEAD, New York, April 18, 2006) The ultimate achievement of any Long Island competitive team is usually to make it to a State Championship, or to be ranked Nationally as Ellen Dougherty was in track, but the RHS Junior Varsity Cheerleaders bagged the big one--a National Championship in cheerleading.

Along with their coaches, Florence Ofrias and Stephanie Cordeiro, the Junior Varsity Cheerleaders traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to compete in the MGN National Championships. The MGN Cheerleading Company hosted over 125 teams from around the United States at the Hershey Park Arena. Competing in the JV High School Division, the Riverhead Junior Varsity Cheerleaders beat out 15 other teams in their class for the honor of National Champions.

The Junior Varsity team is made up of 20 middle school and high school students. They cheered the entire season and practiced double sessions and weekends to prepare for competitions throughout the year.

"It just hasn't sunk in yet . . . I can't believe we came this far," said squad member Natasha Brown. Now reigning as First Place National Champions in their division, the Riverhead Cheerleaders plan to hold their title for years to come!

The squad consists of Taryn Bitzer, Natashia Brown, Alerie Burke, Andrea Chauloff, Madeline Demere, Kerry Gaffney, Caitlin Houghton, Alyssa Hubbard, Kristin Kurtz, Melanie McKay Priscilla McMillan, Lauren Mickelinich, Amanda Muller, Shantice Nieves, Samantha Orlando, Ciara Seymore, Katelyn Spano, Katelyn Stephens, Leah Stewart, Jessica Watts and Rachel Wells.

Photo caption: The Junior Varsity Cheerleaders in Hershey, PA, with their coaches, Stephanie Cordeiro (left) and Florence Ofrias.