Two Lutheran South cheerleaders perform at Disney World’s Varsity Spirit Spectacular

Senior Becca Delaney and junior Violet Phillips of the Lutheran High School South cheerleading squad brought their pom-poms — and their spirit — to Disney World last month for the Varsity Spirit Spectacular. 

“It was really fun,” Delaney said. “We got to go through Disney on our own, and it was fun to just wander around.”

Both of the Lutheran South students have been involved with the private school’s cheer team since they were freshmen. For the past few years, they’ve made friends with their fellow cheerleaders and worked hard to perfect their routines.

“I got involved because my friends were doing cheer,” Delaney said. “I joined a little later in the season, and I wanted to keep that bond with them. I liked cheer, so I did camps in past years.”

For Phillips, “I always wanted to be a high school cheerleader. I actually came here for the education, but also because I love their cheer team. Everyone on the cheer team is so nice.”

Delaney and Phillips attended a National Cheer Association (NCA) camp over the summer. Both students were nominated by NCA staff members to try out for the elite All-American Cheerleaders — a nomination is the only way to be invited to tryouts. Delaney says she was nominated for motion, and Phillips said she was nominated for her jumps.

“Four or five girls” from their team were nominated, but only Delaney and Phillips were accepted into the All-American ranks for their display of jumps and solo cheers.

“It was scary,” Phillips said. “They told us that not everyone who tried out from our team was definitely going to make it. Plus, it was on the last day of the camp, so it was just a lot of nerves.”

All-American Cheerleaders are invited to perform at special events throughout the year. Some of these events take place across the country and the world.

“It’s symbolizing cheerleaders who show good leadership and have good technique, good skills,” Delaney said about the honor.

Delaney and Phillips flew to Orlando, Florida, on Nov. 21. They had two hours to get settled before being launched into a five-hour intensive practice where they nailed down the routine to be used in the Varsity Spirit Spectacular. According to Phillips, there were over 900 people in the parade. They were split into groups based on where the performers were from — such as the Missouri area — and then split up again by how well they knew the dance. Practices took place in a ballroom.

“It was definitely chaotic, but being in a ballroom with so many people who do the same thing you do — the energy was just great,” Phillips said. 

The climax of the weekend was getting to perform in the parade that marched down Disney World’s Main Street, using instrumental and Christmas-themed songs, and showing off their cheers to the children and families that were gathered.