Competitive Cheer team sharpens skills

Ramona High School’s 14-member Competitive Cheer team recently returned from a four-day United Spirit Association (USA) Elite Cheer Camp where they learned elite level stunts and tumbling.

The camp, held at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, attracted 175 cheerleaders from throughout the region. Four of Ramona’s cheerleaders — Shannon Reiling, Savannah Parsons, Paige SanFilippo and Maddie Cirillo — were among the 10 participants whose skill levels were high enough to earn distinction as All American. Of those, Reiling, Cirillo and SanFilippo also received the Spirit Star award and performed their routines in front of the entire camp.

In addition, Sarah Pascarella, Mollie Pilley, Reiling and Cirillo earned medals for being the Best Varsity Stunt Group in the camp.

Reiling, a senior, and Cirillo, a sophomore, are competition team captains. Parsons, a sophomore, and SanFilippo, a freshman, are team members as are Pascarella and Pilley, who are sophomores.

Other team members are seniors Isabell Johnson, Alexis Morales, Savannah Griffin and Jessica Gallegos; junior Savannah Santiago; sophomore Sydney Warner; and freshmen Daisy Vasquez and Chloe Rowles.

All Competitive Cheer members also are on the Varsity Game Cheer team.

The team is working toward the USA Nationals in March in the Anaheim Convention Center, where they will compete against about 20 other teams from throughout California and Arizona for the National High School Cheer Champions title.

Melissa Brunner is the team adviser. Sharing coaching duties for the team are Kyla Brunner, Ramona High’s head varsity game coach, and Taralyn Hemphill, head junior varsity game coach.