The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Torrington cheerleaders could be heading to Hawaii
Seniors invited to perform in Pearl Harbor Day parade
TORRINGTON — Two Torrington High School cheerleaders are hoping to perform in Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor Day parade in December, but they need the funds to get there.
THS seniors Vana Takeman and Kara Banche need to raise $9,500 by mid-October to join other winners in the Universal Association of Cheerleaders’ team for the parade.
The two athletes attended a varsity cheer camp earlier this year, competing with other students from around the country to join the team.
According to Takeman, schools send representatives to try out for the parade team. Torrington sent four, and she and Banche were selected.
“We have to raise $9,500 by Oct. 22,” Takeman said. “We’ve raised $800 so far through our gofundme page, and we’re having a pasta supper on Sept. 5.We’re also having a cornhole tournament and we’re looking for teams to play to raise money.”
“We really want to go, to represent the school,” she said. “We’re up for it, for sure.”
Coach Melissa Viscariello has led the cheerleaders for the last 18 years. This year there are 16 cheerleaders on the team, she said. “We had 12 girls go to camp this summer, and they did well,” Viscariello said. “We didn’t have cheer all last year, so we’ll get started when school gets under way.”
Several cheerleaders participated in the Hawaii parade a few years ago, according to the coach.
“They’re great girls,” she said of Takeman and Banche. “They lost a whole year of cheer, and they’ve been doing this since they were young. It’s a great opportunity for them. I hope they can go.”
Takeman has been a cheerleader for 10 years, Banche for nine.
“It’s something for us to look forward to,” Takeman said. “Especially since we didn’t get a junior year for cheerleading because of COVID-19. It’s something to do to represent our school, and do something fun. We really want to go.”
The girls learned they were chosen for the parade team at the be
ginning of August. “We don’t have a lot of time for fundraising, but we’re going to try,” she said.
To keep their skills sharp, the Torrington High School team attended camp this summer in Massachusetts.
Winning this (competition to be in the parade in Hawaii) shows that we actually do a lot.”
Vana Takeman
“When I was younger, my mom was my coach for cheerleading,” Takeman said. “Cheering games is exciting, but I like the competitions, too. Winning this (competition to be in the parade in Hawaii) shows that we actually do a lot. We work really hard.”
Cash donations can also be made at Alfredo’s Deli on Water Street.