Palm Harbor's Newest Cheer and Tumbling Gym, All Star Rayes, Shines in Their First Ever National Competition!

All Star Rayes coach and business owner, Shana Grantham, took her all star cheerleading teams, Team Steel (level 1) and Team Titanium (level 2) to their first ever national competition, the Mardi Gras Spirit Competition, this past weekend, and brought home a couple big trophies as well as some very proud cheerleaders!

All Star Rayes is a relatively new cheer and tumbling gym in Palm Harbor, but the coach was determined to jump in full force and get her team out in the spotlight; and that's just what she did. The road to the competition was a little shaky (think pyramid with a cheerleader balancing on one foot on the palm of her teammate's hand), with Coach Shana being the head coach, tumbling instructor to many different ages and skill levels, choreographer, uniform designer, music editor, and business owner and operator as well. But with her spirited determination and perseverance, a helping hand from a loyal assistant coach, some supportive parents, and strong willed, dedicated cheerleaders, the competition day was a smashing success!

Coach Shana has given that determined spirit to both of her all star teams, and emphasizes daily the importance of working together and being a strong unit. Her kids all love going to the gym, and they love and respect their coach. When you see the All Star Rayes you will see a group of older teammates and friends looking out for and taking care of each other as well as their younger counterparts. You will see some kids who did not know each other well, if at all, before they joined the team now treating each other like family. You will see a fun-loving, hard-working, dedicated team of athletes.

When her younger team, Team Steel (comprised of girls 5-8 years old), was getting a little weary from so much hard work, Coach Shana took them all on a "team building" adventure to Build a Bear Workshop, where they had to pick and agree on a team mascot animal and a name for it. Each practice after that the girls were determined to give it their best in hopes it would be their turn to take their bear, "Coach Star", home that night. This was just one of several team building and community service events Coach Shana has taken part in to help build her teams and get them involved in their community. At Christmas time the teams helped out in a local food pantry, and participated in a Wreaths Across America ceremony.

Congratulations All Star Rayes and Coach Shana Grantham on your first National Competition! You make Palm Harbor proud!