The senior cheerleaders had an opportunity to experience an actual college Homecoming weekend recently when Coach Carrie Wadzinski took them on an annual camping trip to the University of Central Florida. One of the highlights was meeting UCF alumnus Shaquill Griffin who currently plays cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League. They also met Griffin’s twin brother Shaquem who plays defensive back for UCF. 

West Shore senior cheerleaders Malea Nelson, McKenzie Curtis, Mariah Jones and Max Kohlsted were able to participate in various Homecoming festivities, which included Spirit Splash, the annual event in which students charge into the reflecting pond and wrestle over rubber ducks, and the Knight Lights fireworks show. But the biggest treat, according to Curtis, was watching the Golden Knights football team dominate the East Carolina Pirates 63-21 in the Homecoming game.

“The game was my favorite part because it was just so much fun, like the marching band and the cheerleaders and the dancers and all of it was just like a lot,” she said. “It was great.”

This trip also allowed the cheerleaders and their coach to make memories together.

“My favorite part was the bonding experience and how close I got with the other seniors,” Nelson said. “We were already great friends, but now I feel like family. I’m so happy I got to experience it with them.”

By Trinity Stivers