Poughkeepsie Pioneers seek financial aid to reach nationals
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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A cheerleading squad from Dutchess County has made it all the way to nationals this year. They are the only high school team from the county able to compete against dozens of the best squads in the country but need help with the expenses of going to nationals.
They are known as the Poughkeepsie Pioneers. The motto for this dynamic team of cheerleaders at Poughkeepsie High School is "One family one heart."
Morgan James, 17, is a superstar on stage. She works in a grocery store and is a straight-A student. She says the squad feels like her family.
Lynnece Edmond, their head coach, says the girls are winners on and off the mat. In December, they competed against squads across the country in a regional competition and beat dozens of teams to make it to nationals in Orlando in February. But they need funds to make their dream come true.
"We are one big sisterhood," said 17-year-old Alicia Anderson, the captain, a straight-A student, and an all-American.
Natalia Lopez, 17, has been cheering since she was nine and says it's what she lives for.
There are 13 girls on the squad. They need airfare, hotel, and related expenses for February's competition, which costs about $15,000.
Their coach says they worked hard and deserve this opportunity to shine.
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