Lacey Cheerleaders Head to Nationals

For the first time in Lacey history, the AYC (formerly Pop Warner) cheerleaders made it to the national competition in Florida.

 “It’s going to be quite an experience for the girls just to go down there,” said Jill Cimirro, assistant coach of the Peewee cheer squad.

The peewee and midget teams placed in a local and regional competition in order to advance to nationals, Cimirro said. They’ll be competing on Dec. 10 in Florida.

“They have a lot of strengths. They’re really good with their jumps,” she said.

Janet Riley, chair coordinator for 32 years said they are unsure of what the teams will face at nationals.

“The challenge will probably be to place in nationals,” Cimirro said. “You’re no longer going against a couple teams but teams in our division across the entire country. There are a lot of good teams out there.”

Over the next month, the teams will be holding a number of fundraise to raise the money to travel to nationals. The cost is approximately $30,000 for a total of 44 girls.

“Over the next month, there will be Lacey cheerleaders all over town,” Riley said. “We’re just so ecstatic right now for what’s happening to these kids.”

From canning to a dance and a pancake breakfast, the teams will be working hard to reach their “realistic” goal of $20,000.

The teams will be handing out flyers for friends and families to do coin collections, dine and donate events, and a possible zumba party. They are also asking businesses to donate funds and in turn, an advertisement will be included in their calendar.

“We’re infiltrating the town to try to get sponsorships from different merchants,” Riley said. “The patrons in town have been unbelievable already. Lacey is a close knit town and they’ve give us an amazing amount of support.”

Below is a list of fundraisers the teams will be holding:

• Saturday, Nov. 12- canning at 7 Eleven from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 13- canning in front of Walmart and 7 Eleven from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 19- Dance at Community Hall from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $10 and soda and pizza will be included. Baked goods will be sold and a DJ is donating his time.
• Tuesday, Nov. 22- Dine at Wendy’s from 5 to 8 p.m. and portion of sales will be donated to the teams.
• Wednesday, Nov. 30- Dine at the Forked River House and 10 percent of the sales will go towards the teams.
• Get your hair cut at Great Clips. If you bring a flyer between now and Dec. 2, $2 for every hair cut will be donated to the teams.
• Purchase items from Tasetfully Simple's Lacey AYC Cheerleaders Catalog between now and Dec. 2 and all proceeds will benefit the teams.