A new year they'll never forget

Submitted Photo About 80 cheerleaders from across the nation, including Lauren Rockhold and Haley Melton, Uniontown, all chosen as All American Cheerleaders by the National Cheerleaders Association stand at the 50-yard line of Miami, Fla.'s Orange Bowl Thursday carrying the American Flag. Rockhold and Melton were the only two individuals chosen from the state of Kansas.

Two Uniontown students cheered their way into the new year with a recent performance at Miami, Fla.'s Orange Bowl.

Lauren Rockhold, 8th grade, and Haley Melton, 11th grade, both from Uniontown, were selected by the National Cheerleaders Association as All American Cheerleaders, according to a press release from their coach Jenny Tourtillott.

On Thursday the two local girls along with a group of 80 cheerleaders from throughout the United States and Canada performed in front of about 70,000 spectators. Melton and Rockhold were the only two cheerleaders from Kansas who performed at the Orange Bowl.

Tourtillott said this was the first year any of the Uniontown cheerleaders were selected to participate with the All American team. Having the opportunity to accompany them to Florida and watch them perform with the other cheerleaders was a memorable experience, Tourtillott said.

"It was wonderful -- really amazing," Tourtillott said. "It gave me goose bumps. They (Uniontown girls) practiced so hard all week. It was nice to see them get to perform."

Tourtillott was not the only one who was left with a lasting impression of the event. Both Rockhold and Melton said they will remember the experience for a long time.

"When we got into the stadium, it was so crazy," Rockhold said. "There were so many people watching. It was amazing."

"We worked really hard," Melton said. "It was an experience we'll never forget."

According to the two cheerleaders, they received a choreography DVD in the mail about a month before the event. The cheerleading pair trained for the event using the DVD to teach them the basics of the routines they would need to perform in Florida. Once they arrived in Miami, they spent about nine hours each day for about four days practicing and learning the formations and transitions for the performance.

"I would have practiced for 24 hours to do that," Melton said. "It was awesome."

Although this is the first year anyone from Uniontown has been chosen to perform with the All American Cheerleaders, Tourtillott said she hopes Uniontown's participation in the event becomes a tradition.

"We hope to do this again next year," she said.

When asked if she planned on trying out for the team again next year, Melton said, "Oh, yeah."

Rockhold also has hopes of participating in next year's event.

"I really hope I can go back next year," Rockhold said.

Tourtillott said in order for the two youth to participate in the Orange Bowl this year, they had to raise about $6,000. Through the support of various Bourbon County businesses and individuals, the two cheerleaders were able to generate the needed funds in about three months.

"They looked forward to this wonderful experience that was made possible by several individuals and businesses that sponsored them and helped them raise the money that was necessary for the trip," the press release said. "They were proud to represent the area and will come back with many wonderful memories."

In regards to the support from area residents, Rockhold said, "I want to say thank you to all our sponsors that helped give us this opportunity and helped us be a part of it (Orange Bowl event)."

Melton also wished to express her gratitude to those who helped provide the funds for the two girls to make the trip.

Submitted Photo: Haley Melton, left, and Lauren Rockhold pose for a picture in Miami, Fla. after being chosen as All American Cheerleaders by the National Cheerleaders Association and performing in the Orange Bowl.

"I want to say thank you to everyone that helped us," Melton said.