Milford Cheerleaders plan for Nationals

The Milford High School cheerleaders will head to Atlanta next month, to participate in Nationals competition for the first time in 27 years.

The National Cheerleading and Dance Competition is Feb. 17 to 19.

To help defray travel expenses, the cheerleaders will host a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament event Saturday at , according to Heather Johnson, varsity cheer coach.

You don't have to actually play poker to help the girls get to Atlanta. The event will feature raffles of great items, a silent auction for a pair of Feb. 28 Bruins tickets (vs. Ottawa, behind the net Bruins will shoot at twice during game) and a signed baseball from Boston Red Sox Pitcher Jon Lester.

The Hold 'em payouts are 30 percent of the intake from tournament fees, and first, second and third place players will receive prizes. The buy-in is $100. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the game starts at 7 p.m. and ends at midnight when one player is left.

Interested participants should register at MHSPokerTourn@yahoo.com.

If you can't make it out Saturday night, the girls are holding a fundraiser at from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 27. And the cheerleaders also are selling MHS "Superfan" T-shirts at the basketball games for $10 apiece.