Cheerleading is very important here at R.J. Reynolds High School, but it means even more to the All Americans. Their hard work and dedication have proven just how good they really are. They have a big influence on the student body, and now they’re able to impact those across the world.

Kalonji Patterson, Niah McDaniel Moore, Christin Edwards, Mahalia Turggott, Frii’ Sampson-Young, Desiree’ Terrell, Jamia Rose, Jalaa Miller and Kyla Eldridge were chosen All-American cheerleaders at Reynolds this year. Of the nine, Jalaa Miller and Kyla Eldridge are the two All-American cheerleaders traveling to Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.

“Kyla Eldridge and Jalaa Miller will be representing R.J. Reynolds High School in Waikiki Beach for the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade,” RJR Cheerleader Coach, Victoria Reid, said.

There Eldridge and Miller will meet fellow cheerleaders in the All-American Class of 2023. Coach Reid, who was a former All-American, will be going to the event with them as well.

“As a coach, I have many things to be excited for on this trip,” Reid said. “I earned the same title in the Summer of 2009 and performed in the New Year’s Day parade in London.”

Although they already became All American cheerleaders, they still have some work to do.

“Kya and Jalaa received all the choreography prior to leaving and have to learn it on their own,” Reid said. “They will have some practice time to prepare with the other All-American. Then, they will perform on Thursday night, December 7th.”

It’s a rigorous process to become an All-American cheerleader. You have to attend a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp and tryout. The coaches are the ones that will submit your name to UCA staff members if you want to try to become an All-American.

“They have less than 24 hours to learn a dance, cheer, and perform a jump of their choice,” Reid said. “Then, they go before a panel of judges to try out with up to seven, but no more than nine athletes, from other teams at the camp.”

The top 12% are selected for the title among all the camp attendees that year. Although they don’t get a lot of time to learn and practice each routine, Miller worked hard to become an All-American while she was at camp.

“I wanted to make sure I had everything perfect,” Miller said. “Not only was I really wanting to be chosen for All-American, but the tryouts were in front of everyone who was at camp.”

It is an honor to even compete at this level and those that were picked get to attend a parade that year.

“Their choices were between the New Year’s Day parade in London or the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii,” Reid said.

Their trip will last from December 4th through the 9th. Reynolds has not participated in such an event for many years.

“I love going on a good adventure and I feel like this will be an adventure of a lifetime,” Miller said. “I am very excited to meet people from all over the country who love and enjoy the same sport as me.”

Tons of All-American cheerleaders attend the parade from all over the country.

“Our athletes will meet with their peers from across the country as well as college athletes and staff,” Reid said.

If they have downtime in between rehearsing, they will be able to explore Honolulu and interact with other students from all over.

Their hard work paid off when receiving the title as an All-American cheerleader and that honor will last a lifetime.