WEST HIGH CHEER SQUADS WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS AT ELITE CAMP

The West Aurora High School Varsity cheerleaders won the overall Superior Trophy, the Cheer Division Championship and the Camp Leadership Award at the Universal Cheerleaders Association's Elite Camp at Northern Illinois University in June.

The West Junior Varsity squad also received the overall Superior Trophy, which is awarded to squads that achieve the highest possible marks throughout the week. It also won the Camp Championship in both the Cheer Division and the Routine Division, the first time a West Junior Varsity squad has accomplished this.

The Camp Leadership Award is voted on by all of the cheerleaders at camp. The criterion is, "if you could cheer on any squad here, of which squad would you most like to be a member."

"This is the award we are most proud of and this is the first time a West Aurora squad has ever been selected for this award," says Chrissy Poppen, the West High cheerleading coach. "Needless to say, the West squads had a fantastic week."

Several West Cheerleaders also were named all-stars. They are varsity-squad members Kolette Bohr, Sarah Kilroy, Shada Rogers, Meredith VanKampen and Keiashia Wood and junior-varsity-squad members Brianna Miller and Avery Volz.