
contributed
The D12 Large Red team
Shelton cheerleading team D‑12 Large Red took the national title on December 10 at the American Youth Cheer National Championship.
The girls, in grades 5, 6, and 7, competed against six other teams in their age bracket from across the country at the competition, which was held at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL.
The team finished the first day of competition in third place, but their electric performance on Sunday earned them the coveted championship. The team brought home a trophy, and each girl received a National Champion jacket.
“Winning is fabulous, but creating memorable moments lasts a lifetime,” said Julie Bibby, Head Coach.
The road to the finals was long, beginning with conditioning in August before the season even starts. The team captured first place in their local competition, first place in the state competition, first place in regionals, and finally, first place in nationals.
“Our goal is to focus on the fundamentals of cheer in a fun, safe environment so the girls want to keep coming back season after season,” said VP of Cheer Patti Prodan.
Teams are categories by color according to their skill level. Red is intermediate, and D‑12 is comprised of 29 team members: Adrianna, Alexandra, Alicia, Ava, Ava, Brynn, Camryn, Christina, Elizabeth, Ella, Isabella, Isabelle, Jane, Kayla, Kendall, Leah, Leyla, Lillian, Madeline, Madison, Mara, Marissa, Mia N., Mia G., Nadya, Olivia, Sadie, Samantha, and Sarah. Coaches include Julie, Patti, Monica, Jessica, Shelly, Shelley, and Stacey. Student dems include Veline, Liz, Saige, and Victoria.
Teams D‑8 and D‑14 also took home trophies from the championships, pacing third after competing against teams from across the country.

The D14 Large Blue team
D14 Large Blue
1st place locals
1st place states
1st place Regionals
3rd place Nationals
D12 Large Red
1st place locals
1st place States
1st place Regionals
1st place nationals

The D8 Small White team
D8 Small White
1st place locals
2nd place states
1st place Regionals
3rd place Nationals
D10 Small White
1st place locals
3rd place states
4th place regionals
D14 Large Blue
Kayla
Chelsea Rose
Erin
Maura
Caitlin
Alexa
Janazria
Leah
Julianna
Izzie
Jazmin
Amanda
Alyssa
Kaylan
Payton
Averi
Siena
Avalina
Rosie
Cassandra
Autumn
Jenna
Isabella
Emily
Mackenzie
Isabella
Emily V
Emily T.
Kiara
Bianca
Coached by
Michelle, Courtney, Tori, Lisa and Harley
Student dems
Molly
Carrie
Haley
Mariah
D12 Large Red
Isabella
Leah
Alicia
Sadie
Madeline
Lillian
Marissa
Alexandra
Isabelle
Mia
Olivia
Sarah
Kayla
Madison
Christina
Elizabeth
Ava
Mia
Kendall
Ella
Jane
Samantha
Leyla
Brynn
Mara
Camryn
Nadya
Ava
Adrianna
Coached by
Julie, Patti, Jessica, Shelly, Shelley, Stacey
Student Dems
Emma
Saige
Victoria
Liz
Celine
D8 Small White
Lyliana
Carlice
Carine
Nikki
Aurora
Sofia
Kailee
Evangeline
Madison
Reagan
Kira
Keira
Gabriella
Sofia
Cara
Coached by
Angie, Erin, Ami, Nicole
Student Dems
Rachel
Sydney
Ava
Madison

The D10 Small White team
D10 Small White
Carissa
Emily
KaliMay
Isabella
Leila
Ariana
Olivia
Grace
Kaia
Angelina
Dez
Silvana
Daniella
Rylie
Emmeline
Joanna
Ava
Coached by Kim, Nikole, Candy, Nicole and Samantha
Student Dems
Jenna
Gianna
Trista
Maia