Cheerleaders compete at Fairplex for championships

Miguel Fernandez
Staff Writer

The energy was high, the ponytails were even higher and the makeup sparkled in the light.

The JAMZ Cheer & Dance organization held its school and youth state championship at the Pomona Fairplex.

Division I/II teams from all over Southern California competed for the championship rings, as well as the distinctive title of champions of their division.

The competition was held at Expo Hall 4, one of the Fairplex’s larger expo halls.

The hall contained a large stage in the center for the performances and plenty of seats for supporters, family and coaches to watch their dancers and cheerleaders.

More than 600 cheerleaders and supporters attended competition.

The competition was tough. As teams started performing, other teams were preparing for their own performance back stage with serious game faces.

In the crowd, Letha Brown, one of the coaches for the Cerritos Vypers Black Diamonds prepared all of the team members’ hair and makeup.

“I hope that my girls go out there and do their best, showcase their true talent and win,” Brown said.

“These girls work hard for months out of the year.”

The Cerritos Vypers Black Diamonds is a newer team and this is its first competitive season.

Eleven-year-old Charlee Washington is a member of the Cerritos Vypers Black Diamonds.

Although it is her first year with the team, she has been cheering for five years overall.

“My favorite part about being on the team is the bond we share, and being more like sisters, like family,” Washington said.

Many of the teams were roaming the expo hall alongside their coaches and family before their performance.

Each team was eager to take home the win.

The JAMZ Championship winners received rings as a symbol of their win.

Ten-year-old London Davis has cheered for around seven years and has been with the Cerritos Vypers Black Diamonds for a year.

“The rings are a way to show off the win,” Davis said.

The JAMZ Cheer & Dance organization executes championships and national championships all over the country throughout the year.

The organization also offers several cheer camp opportunities.

At these camps, cheerleaders and their teams can work on routines and stunts for their upcoming competitions.

Miguel Fernandez can be reached at miguel.fernandez@laverne.edu.

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