Fundraising helped dozens represent school in nationals
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
While Westosha Central High School’s cheerleading squad is in pursuit of a third straight Wisconsin Association of Cheer/Poms Coaches title, the Falcons have another championship in mind, the Universal Cheer Association competition held in Orlando.
But, citing a cost of about $600, the team sought funds to offset expenses related to the Orlando trip scheduled for February.
The community answered, with dozens of businesses chipping in raffle items, capped off with a fundraising drive held at Sandlots of Salem Saturday.
According to coach Natalia Vernezze, the team extended gratitude to the community for stepping in to help.
“The young ladies and I would really like to thank the community for their support to make our event successful,” Vernezze said. “We could not do it without the local companies helping through monetary or basket items for our raffle.”
With raffle items, including gift cards to area businesses, along with basket prizes, it set the table for Saturday’s fundraiser known as Central Cheer Takes Flight at Sandlots of Salem.
Community members showed up to buy raffle tickets bid on silent auction items and socialized with students and their parents.
“Many, many thanks to the people who came out to eat, to participate in 50/50, to those who bought a raffle ticket, or bid on auction items,” Vernezze said.
She said the efforts of the community reduced athlete fees by 33 percent.
“We have raised enough for families to afford the rest,” Vernezze said.
According to senior Sara Hebior, who went to the UCA Nationals as a sophomore, the support excited team members who look forward to the national competition.
“It is really fun. It is a really good experience,” Hebior said. “It is fun to go back since I know what it is all about.”
Hebior’s experience, Vernezze said, was due to team’s strong desire to compete at a higher level two years ago, when they made their first appearance.
“The first that we went wasn’t planned, really, but we had a bunch of freshman that wanted to compete at a bigger place,” Vernezze said.
Although the team did not advance to the second round that year, Vernezze believes the team has the skills to improve upon their first performance.
“I think this has been working really hard and has gotten better since the last time we went to nationals, so hey have challenged themselves,” she said.
However, the team’s dream of a trip to nationals would not have been possible without the community support.
“We are so grateful for the support of Central High School, our team parents who worked hard behind the scenes making the event successful, and especially the Sandlots of Salem for hosting our event,” Vernezze said.