MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The National Cheerleading Association and the Department of Defense Dependents Schools hosted the 2014 Far East Cheer Camp and cheer championship at Matthew C. Perry High School aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 3-7, 2014.
The weeklong event presented students of the 12 participating schools an opportunity to learn from professional NCA cheerleaders.
“We here at M.C. Perry are committed to providing a memorable and positive experience, full of skill development and life lessons,” said Lorenzo Brown, principal of M.C. Perry High School. “The Far East Cheer Camp is intended to provide everyone, especially the student athletes, with an experience that reinforces the values of goodwill, honor, sportsmanship and respect for one another.”
Throughout the week, each team rotated between different coaches, who taught a specific skill focused on helping each squad perform better.
“You definitely see improvements in the girls as we get closer to the championship,” said Missy Bolman, a cheerleading instructor with the NCA. “They want to be here, they want to perform and they have a passion for this. That’s why we, as coaches, give it 100 percent when they are out here with us.”
Bolman continued by saying as some of the girls are returning for a second time to the camp, she is happy to see that they are passing their knowledge to new attendees in order to help them improve their abilities.
Each of the schools’ aforementioned abilities were put to the test during championship.
One by one, the squads performed in front of coaches who evaluated their routines based on the fundamentals learned throughout the camp.
At the end of the performances, students received individual and group awards, varying from best tumblers to best dances, before naming Nile C. Kinnick High School this year’s champions.
“It’s an amazing feeling knowing your team won,” said Daee Harrison, 17, captain of N.C. Kinnick’s varsity cheer team. “My girls and I worked really hard during the camp and I am so excited to see that all our hard work paid off at the end.”
Harrison said with this win under her belt, she now looks forward to seeing what next year’s championship will bring.