After achieving All-American cheerleader for five years, the dream of taking advantage of the opportunity to travel with other All-American cheerleaders from across the United States became a reality for senior Kerrigan Baker.
Cheerleaders who attend United Cheerleaders Association camps have the opportunity to try out for the title of All-American. They are chosen based on superior cheerleading techniques in any of the area of jumps, tumbling, stunting, crowd skills and motion technique, leadership, and dance.
Only the top 12% of the cheerleaders and dancers from Varsity Spirit camps earned the chance to participate in a performance of this caliber and she was able to choose between London, Florida, and Hawaii.
Choosing Hawaii, she, along with 800 other girls had the opportunity to participate with Varsity Spirit All-Americans in the parade before thousands of fans lining the streets of Waikiki Beach. The trip marked the 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Varsity brand Memphis-based Varsity Spirit, is the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, and performing arts. A division of Varsity Brands, Varsity Spirit is a leader in uniform innovation, as well as educational camps, clinics and competitions, impacting more than a million athletes each year.
“This was my last opportunity to do something big with cheer, something I’ve always had a passion for, and feeling confident with what I had achieved, I felt this was the year,” said Kerrigan. “My mom made me wait until my senior year and I’m thankful now, because all the hard work paid off.”
Preparing for the parade, she received a video about a month before so much of her practicing and learning the dance was before they left, “I felt well prepared,” Kerrigan said,
Baker, along with 800 other cheerleaders and members of their families invaded the 24 story Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. Their events with Varsity began Sunday, December 3 to Saturday, December 9.
“When we arrived at the hotel, I noticed everything was open at the hotels and restaurants - no doors. There was even a bird sitting by me! That is when it hit me, I’m in Hawaii!” said Kerrigan
Monday, December 4 was their final fitting for their uniforms, although Kerrigan had received hers before leaving, Varsity made sure it was not too tight, or too short, and no tummy.
The next day, Tuesday, December 5, they were supposed to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. Unfortunately Kerrigan’s mom, Lacey, got what she thought was food poisoning from some fresh tuna she ate the night before, so they were unable to go.
December 6, they practiced from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. They were split into teams named Liberty (Kerrigan’s team), Stars and Stripes, and Brave and Freedom.
The main focus of the practice was knowing where to stand and mastering when to do their ripples with their poms, a move they do on different counts, like a wave.
That afternoon was free, and even though Kerrigan had sprained her ankle in basketball practice two days before they left, she decided she was in Hawaii, and she was going surfing!
Kerrigan knew a girl from Hugoton who was there, and they went surfing together, “We ended up on the same flight to and from Hawaii, so we had a lot of fun as families.” The girls had to paddle out which was about two miles, Lacey said, “We could not see her so I was a little nervous!”
“I surfed about fifteen waves, and I actually got up on the board,” she said, “It was super fun and had a great instructor that nicknamed me Ratchet!” He explained his nickname choice was because she looked a little disheveled after being taken under by a wave.
The next day was the parade, with check in time at 4:00 PM, for the parade at 7:00. The parade was along the beach on Kalākaua Avenue and lasted about an hour. “It was very patriotic, and we repeated the dance twenty-four times,” said Kerrigan.
Lacey made sure to tell Kerrigan to jump when she got close to them so they would know which one was her, “They all looked alike, same uniform, blond hair, and red lipstick!” Lacey added, “I think her group was the best, their ripples were very precise.”
After the parade, the girls were treated to a sack lunch and water, “We were really tired,” said Kerrigan, “And it was about 9:00 PM and we were hungry for more than a sack lunch, so we walked fifteen minutes back to the hotel and enjoyed a nice dinner on the roof of the hotel with our Hugoton friends.”
“Friday morning we had to shop!” Kerrigan and Lacey said. Their day and last night of their trip ended with the traditional Hawaiian Luau, which was by the light tower on the harbor where the ships come in. They took an Uber for the four mile trip which took 45 minutes.
This was one of their favorite parts of the trip. They enjoyed learning about the culture of Hawaii through the many activities, and even learned how they opened coconuts, and how many uses there are for them. Lacey explained they use the water for hydration, the meat out of it for nutrients and proteins, the inside or husks are used for fires, and the shell is used for music and protection.
Saturday, December 9, they checked out of the hotel at 11:00 AM and rented a cabana by the pool to enjoy their few hours in Hawaii before leaving for the 11:00 PM flight home.
Kerrigan said everyone in Hawaii was so sweet, “I did not meet a single person that was rude, or disrespectful, it was super fun, but the highlight was surfing, the water was so clear, there was lava rock on the floor of the ocean, but I saw turtles, and some fish.”
She would 100% recommend the trips to any All-American cheerleader. “It was fun getting to know everyone, and I met so many people from different states and I felt confident in my ability to represent my community.”
“I was humbled by the support by my community and surrounding communities, without all of them, this would not have been possible,” said Kerrigan.
Trying to heal from the loss of his wife, 1961 SHS graduate, Garry Warner, at the advice of his family physician and friend, suggested journaling to overcome his grief. The result, many years in the making, is a published book entitled Musings of a Walmart Greeter. The... [More]
2015 Syracuse High School graduate Taelor (Oller) Leyva has always dreamed of being a novelist. But as her life and family grew, her priorities became God and her family. Leyva is the daughter of Crystal Loder and Dustin Oller. She married 2016 SHS grad Diego Leyva and... [More]
While many youth in our community have been able to take part in the free junior golf lessons during the summer for many years, Paige Barnes recalls it as what pushed her on this journey. Barnes said, “When we moved to Syracuse, my first experience with golf was... [More]
The year was 1989 when there were three law firms in Syracuse, Kansas - Jim Terrill, John Stanley, and Gale & Gale. By the end of 1990, there were two - Terrill and Gale & Gale. Thirty-five years ago, Janice Simon began working part time at Gale &... [More]
The long wait is over. The Hamilton County Library has reopened on Main Street. A grand reopening was held on Tuesday afternoon with tours all day. Library Director Amy Brucker choked up as she addressed the large crowd of library board members, county commissioners, patrons,... [More]
The Hamilton County Fair is in full swing with many fun activities for everyone. It began Thursday, July 18, when Ann Palmer was crowned Silver Queen at the VIP Center. Her princesses were Lola Fox, Marcia Ashmore and Ellie Seba. Following the coronation was the 4-H... [More]
Fair Entries - How Does It Work It’s Easy and Fun to Enter! Want to participate in the Hamilton County Fair? Showcase your talents and turn your hobbies and special interests into a winner. Who Can Enter? ALL Hamilton County residents are eligible to enter and... [More]
Scarlett Hines, daughter of Travis and Corinna Hines, has been riding a horse since she could walk. She got her first pony, Ladybug, when she was two or three years old. She has participated in play days, local and regional rodeos, and now can add winning at the National... [More]
Today I am off to my daughter’s first volleyball game. Game? Match? I am learning. Please be patient. Yesterday was the anniversary of 9/11, a grim reminder of how ugly the world can be and how hate destroys so much of humanity. When I read the front... [More]
It’s time for the State Fair! This year looks incredibly different from last year. I am actually shocked we even get to go. As our daughter transitions to junior high, more hands are necessary to keep going. Her practices run early and late. Sometimes homework, studying,... [More]
Here we are at the end of August 2024. Fall is so close I can almost touch it and then bam a 100 degree day. For some that is energizing. I am more of a cooler weather fan. We are supposed to leave for the state fair next Thursday. I say supposed to because you never know... [More]
I read a quote the other day that hardship draws you closer to God. While it may be true, I don’t feel a bright shiny light warming my heart, thanking God, singing Hallelujah. In fact, in the middle of the storms, I feel lost, discombobulated, uncomfortable, and question... [More]
Have you heard of Walter’s Wiggles? It’s a long switchback trail in Zion National Park that leads you to Angel’s Landing. The view is breathtaking. The steep uphill zigzag climb can give you a few moments wondering if it is worth it to go on. I think... [More]
It’s hard for me to fathom that school begins Monday. We just finished fair, fair clean up, after fair exhaustion week trying to catch up on everything put on the back burner because of fair. This weekend I spent most of my days and nights putting together... [More]
It’s August!!!! It’s hot!!! That is a direct quote from me. Lol! Triple digit temperatures make everything uncomfortable. While the county fair is over, I have not recovered yet. A lot of hard work by a lot of people, too many to name went into putting on a... [More]
On Friday, July 28, 1944, one of the Syracuse Journal headlines read , “TOO MUCH NEWS”. The article said, “We’re sorry, but last minute political advertisements and legal notices that had to be run this issue crowded us for space this week and we had to... [More]
The Syracuse Bulldogs Ladies Varsity Golf Team took first at their season opener in Stanton County on Tuesday afternoon. They shot a team score of 207 at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Johnson. The varsity team is Lanee Owens, Bronwyn Lewis, Sammy Schwieterman, Maddy... [More]
Qualifying members of the high school track team traveled to Hill City Thursday, May 16 to compete in the 2-A regional meet against 15 teams, Ellinwood, Ellis, Hill City, Hoxie, Lincoln, Meade, Medicine Lodge, Oakley, Plainville, Smith Center, Stanton County, Sublette, Thomas... [More]
The Syracuse High School boys golf team battled breezy conditions on Monday May 13 competing in the 2-A Regional meet on their own Tamarisk Golf Course. Adjusting to windy conditions and competing at home paid off for the Bulldogs Monday, placing second, qualifying... [More]
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse. Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]
Harvey Ellsworth Crist, 97, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024, at his home in Syracuse, Kansas. He was born August 4, 1927 in Holly, Colorado, the son of Paul F. Crist and Margaret (Herbig) Crist. Harvey began his life in Holly, Colorado and was raised in Bear Creek Township... [More]
Maxine J. Ralstin Maxine Jeanette Ralstin passed away Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 peacefully at her home in Syracuse, Kansas. Maxine was born February, 21, 1942 as the third of four children to Freeman H. and Mary O. (Husky) Ralstin. Maxine was a lifelong resident... [More]
Larry's life began with Millard and Elsie (Billy) Finlay on May 25, 1941, in Lakin, KS. He lived 83 years and passed away at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, on August 10, 2024. He was the oldest of four. His siblings are Llyndee Lacey of Independence, KS; Ron Finlay of Kendall,... [More]
Bill Maxey, of Amarillo, TX passed away on August 4, 2024. Graveside Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 9, 2024 at Syracuse Cemetery in Syracuse, KS. Bill was born in Syracuse, Kansas to James and Betty Maxey. He was the youngest of four brothers,... [More]
Maurine (Boltz) Urton, 94, passed away Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born November 28, 1929 in Syracuse, Kansas, the daughter of Henry Charles Boltz and Mildred Hannah (Logan) Boltz. Maurine was born in Syracuse &... [More]
William (Bill) George McManess, age 64, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Wichita, Kansas at Wesley Medical Center surrounded by his daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was born on December 14, 1959 in Wichita, Kansas to Charles (Chuck)... [More]
Born on August 13, 1932, Patricia Ann Daugherty (Pat or affectionately known as ‘Gram’, died on November 22, 2023, at the Kearny County Hospital at the age of 91. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Raymond M and Maude Hessling. Pat married Bill Daugherty on... [More]
Loren William Youngers, age 68, of La Veta, CO, passed away on May 29th, 2024. Loren was born September 11th, 1955, in Kingman, KS, the son of George and Evelyn Youngers. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Doreen Amon, and niece Anne Marie Youngers. He is... [More]
©2024 The Syracuse Journal. Powered by Pluto Sites.