| SMHS Cheerleader Travels to Hawaii to Attend Cheer Program Senior Melanee Galindo has been a member of the Viper cheer team since her freshman year - this was also when she first heard about Cheer Hawaii USA, a college-prep cheerleading camp, from a senior team member. Last year, Melanee began the application process for Cheer Hawaii USA, beginning with a recommendation from her Coach, Erica White Jacquez-White. In order to participate in the program, the applicant must have an existing foundation of skills confirmed by their coach's recommendation and must also be able to fund the cost of the program. Melanee and her family raised this money by selling burgers, an endeavor in which she received enthusiastic support from the San Miguel community. At the end of June, Melanee hopped on a plane (her first time traveling by air and her first time traveling alone) to Hawaii, where she would spend a memorable week learning from college athletes, coaches and counselors, alongside other high school cheerleaders from across the country. The curriculum consisted of Stunt, Dance and Cheer classes as well as classes on how to balance college level courses with college level athletic involvement. “I had really cool conversations about what is required to get into a college level sport and how competitive it is," said Melanee. "You have to have that commitment, it has to be something that you know that you want.” In addition to learning from the program's curriculum, Melanee explored the area, visiting sites such as Pearl Harbor and Polynesian heritage centers. According to Melanee, this opportunity not only taught her skills in cheer, it taught her about confidence and independence. "This experience taught me that I can do things on my own. I am capable of taking care of myself and taking care of my needs," she said. Plus, it encouraged her travel bug! This summer, Melanee is planning a trip to Europe with her grandmother. |
