August 20, 2008
For Immediate Release
For an Interview:
Carly Condie
(801) 863-8630
UVU’s Spirit Squad, made up of the Cheer Squad, Dance Team and school mascot, recently made an impressive showing at the National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Association camp in Las Vegas, Nev. In addition to several squad awards, five UVU Spirit Squad members were also named All-Americans, making UVU the school with the most All-Amercans at the camp.
The Cheer Squad won the Spirit Award, as well as two “superior” marks on their routines. Willy, UVU’s Wolverine mascot, won awards for being the Best All Around and Most Collegiate Mascot at the camp. The UVU Dance Team won the Best Dance Award and the Spirit Award, as well as a partial paid bid to the National Collegiate Competition that will be held in Daytona Beach, Fla. in April 2009, which will help cover the cost for participating in the event.
The five students who were named All-Americans were all members of UVU’s Dance Team and were recognized because of their performance at the camp. UVU’s All-American dancers are Jacqui Kimball of Orem, Utah; Shalee Sheriff of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Michelle Amacher from Sandy, Utah; Jordan Rasband of Heber City, Utah and Patty Pace from Yorba Linda, Calif.
UVU’s Spirit Squad was created last year in preparation for the school’s transition from a state college to a university. The Cheer Squad, Dance Team and mascot were all combined in order to create a more cohesive effort at performances and evoke stronger school spirit.
“We’ve gone through a transition recently, combining the three sections together, though they still all have their separate emphasis,” said Carly Condie, director of the squad. “Combining them has really developed a camaraderie between all of them that helped in their success down at camp and will hopefully help throughout the rest of this coming year, help them in their success at Nationals and keep them strong in the years to come.”
Last year, the UVU Dance Team placed in the top five competitors at the National Dance Association’s National Competition and UVU’s Cheer Squad placed in the top-10 at the National Cheerleaders Association National Competitions.
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College Marketing Contact:
Kim Chapman
(801) 863-6807
Written by:
Brenda Johnson
(801) 863-7011