UCA Cheer Camp
By: Sheryl Smith
On June 30, July 1 and July 2 Deerfield hosted UCA (Universal Cheer Association) Cheer Camp. This was the 5th year that we have hosted this event in Deerfield. This year we had 6 High Schools. This included Deerfield, Lakin, Syracuse, Satanta, Golden Plains, and Hugoton. We also had 4 Middle Schools / Junior High Schools. This included Deerfield, Sublette, Eisenhower (Liberal), and Syracuse. In total we had 92 student athletes, 12 coaches, and 5 UCA Staff Instructors attend this event.
During this camp the participants learned cheers, chants, 2 dances, and received instruction on stunting and pyramids. It is a busy weekend full of learning, but there is also lots of fun mixed in as well. Teams are private coached and evaluated throughout camp. This gives the opportunity to celebrate their success and improvements, as well as receive positive feedback on areas to improve. On the final day the teams participate in the Game Day Competition. Families are invited in to watch the teams compete in this final event of camp. The teams perform their camp routine, which is a dance that they have incorporated their own stunts and tumbling into to make it unique. The second round of performances, the teams are given a game scenario as they spirit onto the floor and from that cue they perform either an offense or defense chant followed by a cheer.
Another point of anticipation during Cheer Camp is the All American Tryout. Participants of this tryout are scored on a jump, the camp routine, and a cheer. This year we had three students try out and I am so proud of all three of them. It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of approximately 100 of your peers and participate in a tryout such as this. Brynn Harmon (8th grade), Rosa Alba (10th grade), and Alyssa Smith (12th grade) all did an amazing job!
Camp concluded with the awards ceremony. Deerfield Middle School won 2 trophies, 1st place for their cheer in the game day competition as well as overall most improved squad. Deerfield High also brought home a trophy for being named a superior squad. Alyssa Smith was named to the All American National Squad.
Hosting an event of this size is something that would not happen without lots of help. I would like to thank Kelsey McEntee, Jennifer and Dennis Wieberg, Brett Smith, Cale Warden, Juan Morano, Jose and Irma Infante, Dustin Petrus, Jeremy Thomas, Garden City Community College and coach Tiffany Minnick for letting us borrow their mats. All of the parents and families! I am so excited for the year ahead of us with the 2023-2024 Middle and High School Cheer Teams! I see great things to come with their leadership.
