HHS cheerleaders named to 'All-American Dream Team;' invited to perform at Citrus Bowl
Four Hillsboro High School students have earned national honors and the opportunity to perform on national television following a cheerleading camp at Wilmington College.
Seniors Mallori Crum and Breanna Lengefeld, along with sophomores Kennedi Claycomb and Abby Harmon, were selected as All-American Cheerleaders at the Americheer camp held at Wilmington College’s campus July 27-30.
Along with earning a spot on Americheer’s “All-American Dream Team,” all four students have been invited to perform at the halftime show of the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day, which includes a six-day trip to Orlando, Fla.
“It’s a huge honor, and it’s nice to get them some recognition,” Hillsboro High School varsity cheering coach Shannon Yochum told The Highland County Press. “Having two sophomores being picked will be a big deal for the program.”
Yochum, an astronomy and physical science teacher at HHS who recently took over as varsity cheerleading coach, took eight cheerleaders to the camp. Also attending the camp were Caitlin Ahrmann, Baylee Eastes, Jamie Jones and Emily Young. Yochum said that Hillsboro had five different squads, two seasons and four grades represented at the camp.
During the four-day camp, all cheerleaders in attendance are monitored on their skills as well as their sportsmanship, according to Yochum.
“It’s basically a tryout phase,” Yochum said. “They’re watching the girls all day, every day. Then, they have an official tryout that they complete, where they’re evaluated based on their jumps, cheers and their dance.
“Throughout the camp, they’re also looking at the girls’ character, ability to get along with each other and positive attitudes.”
As a team, the Hillsboro cheerleaders earned several awards while at the camp, including an Award of Distinction, “which means that they displayed good sportsmanship, worked together as a team, were courteous and respectful, participated in all camp activities and were a team that displayed themselves with respect and dignity,” Yochum said.
The cheerleaders also earned a Superior Rating for cheers and chants and received the Camp Teamwork trophy. They earned third-place honors in both the Crowd Crazy competition, which teaches cheerleaders how to get the crowd excited, and the Home Dance competition, where they performed a dance using the school’s fight song.
“The judges were impressed the cheerleaders knew all the words to our fight song,” Yochum said.
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Yochum said that while the Hillsboro cheerleading program had sent cheerleaders to the Americheer camp in the past, it had been “probably 20 years” since they had attended. Yochum said that her friends who coach cheerleading “had nothing but positive things to say about the camp,” and the trip to Wilmington was an easy commute for the team.
Through the camp, the Hillsboro cheerleaders participated in activities with high school students from all over Ohio.
“It gets the girls out meeting other teams and building some spirit here at Hillsboro,” Yochum said.
In order to pay for the trip to Florida for the four girls who have the opportunity to perform during the Citrus Bowl halftime show – which Yochum says is “a once-in-a-lifetime chance” – the HHS cheerleading program and their parents are organizing fundraisers.
Pam Claycomb, who is overseeing the fundraising for the All-American cheerleaders, said that a down payment for the trip is required by Sept. 7, so she and other parents are working on fundraising ideas. Any businesses or individuals who would like to discuss donations or sponsorships may contact Claycomb at (937) 763-8347.
In addition, the team will be working throughout the school year to raise funds to ensure all Hillsboro cheerleaders can attend the Americheer camp next summer.
The cheerleading program will also host a Peewee Cheerleading Camp Aug. 31 through Sept. 3 at Hillsboro Elementary. The cost is $30 and includes a T-shirt, a camper ticket to the Sept. 4 varsity football game and one parent voucher ticket for the game.
“The peewees this year will get to cheer at the varsity football game on September 4,” Yochum said.
Fliers will be handed out at Hillsboro Elementary and will be available at the Hillsboro City Schools website. For more information on the camp, call Yochum at (937) 402-7628 or junior varsity coach Jenna Horick at (937) 205-8790.
Yochum said the Hillsboro cheerleading program is looking forward to another fun, successful year.
“We are excited,” Yochum said. “The girls are completing community service projects, they’re excited about the school year and changes in the program and can’t wait to start cheering at the games.”