Pennsylvania cheer squads participated in charity competition, with proceeds going to the local Boys and Girls Club.
Often, the talents of young cheerleaders go overlooked when they spend most of their time spreading school spirit on the sidelines at football games. Elementary and middle school-aged squads, which don't generally compete, rarely get to be the center of attention. Once a year, however, young cheer teams from all over Pennsylvania gather for the CheerFest Cheer for Charity. This year's event was held on October 12th in the Chambersburg Area Senior High School Gymnasium, and over 450 girls got to participate.
Excitement levels were high during the Saturday cheer competition as teams prepared to try to wow the judges with their two-and-a-half minute routines. The event was divided into four age groups (smurf, junior varsity, mid-varsity, and varsity), but all of the girls had to be in kindergarten through 8th grade to participate. The event organizer and president of the Keystone Youth Football and Cheerleading League, Alan Kline, noted that the event is