WDC cheerleaders perform in Orlando, have amazing time

Wadena-Deer Creek Football Cheerleaders traveled to Orlando, Fla., last week where they got to do what few high school cheerleaders will ever get to experience - cheering at the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day.

The cheerleading squad left for Orlando at 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 29 where they spent the next three days practicing for three and a half to four hours a day. WDC cheerleaders also practiced on their own later in the evening, working to perfect their energetic pom-pom dance routine. (WDC cheerleaders started practicing their dance at WDC High School two weeks before the event).

Their many hours of practice paid off though. They were selected to be placed front and center when they joined 600 cheerleaders and 50 mascots from across the country during the pre-game performance.

Cheer Coach Holly Becker kept WDC fans posted from over 1,700 miles away with photos and video of the cheerleaders' practice and performance on a Facebook page they created for the event called "WDC Cheerleaders Cheering at Citrus Bowl."

The cheerleaders included Bailey Blessing, Lydia Burns, Hope Dumpprope, Sydney Emerson, Allison Gedde, Nicole Iken, Lacey Malone, Kelsey Miller, Maizie Miller, Athea Perez, Kloe Pettit-Sperling and Kassi Peterson.

Blessing said while the practices were pretty sweltering, it was all worthwhile once she stepped onto the turf to perform.

"I admit, I was one of the cheerleaders who complained about how hot the practices were, but when I walked onto the field, everything hit me. I got excited...nervous..it was amazing!" explained Blessing, adding, "It was insane-crazy to look up and to see all the people there. It really was an amazing experience!"

Since last summer when they were selected to perform at the Citrus Bowl, the cheerleaders held several fundraisers to help pay for expenses, which included putting Becker in "jail," selling pizzas, a car wash and "Painting the Town with Wolverine Spirit" during Homecoming Week.

In her eighth year as Cheer Coach, Becker said she is filled with pride over the cheerleaders' hard work and performance.

"The girls did such an outstanding job during the very first practice and they were rewarded by being selected to be the center row for the show," she said. "The directors said our girls looked very good and were so well prepared they wanted to make sure everyone could see them. I was so proud at that moment, I had tears flowing."

"The girls worked so hard and truly deserved the recognition they got," said Becker, who also deserves credit for helping the girls raise the money to help fund their trip, as well as coordinating and leading the many hours of practice at WDC.

But it wasn't all work and no play. The cheerleaders and Becker had fun spending their evenings visiting the Disney World parks. They saw a couple shows, went on some thrill rides and had a great time bonding and sightseeing.

1/6: WDC cheerleaders headed to the Magic Kingdom during part of their Orlando, Fla. trip to perform at the Citrus Bowl.

2/6: WDC Football Cheerleading squad, back row, from left, Kelsey Miller, Lydia Burns, Kassi Peterson, Athea Perez, Maizie Miller, Hope Dumpprope, and Lacey Malone; front row, from left Allison Gedde, Bailey Blessing, Kloe Pettit-Sperling, Nicole Iken and Sydney Emerson.

3/6: WDC cheerleaders eat before a long practice with more than 600 other performers.

4/6: Maizie Miller and Cheer Coach Holly Becker had face painting done at the Animal Kingdom.

5/6: WDC cheerleaders were part of the pre-game show for the 70th annual Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day.

6/6: WDC's cheerleaders were chosen to be front and center at the game because they had practiced hard and were well prepared.