CHIMACUM — Chimacum High School seniors Deidra Morris and Jaycie Eldridge are attending the Varsity Spirit Spectacular in December, an annual event held at Disney World for cheer captains from throughout the country.
Sure, it’s a trip to the warm Orlando climate during the winter, and a Walt Disney World Park-Hopper Pass is included, but Morris said it is more of a leadership and learning opportunity.
Morris and Eldridge are two of about 800 participants at the four-day event.
“We can learn from them,” Morris said.
“One of the things that we’re going to learn is the things that the other schools do to boost school spirit.”
Morris is a four-year varsity cheerleader, as is Eldridge. During that time, she has noticed Chimacum struggle with school spirit. She also has seen it improve.
“It’s on the rise now, but it’s not where I want it to be,” Morris said.
Morris and Eldridge met about the time they were in preschool and, Morris said, “have been best friends since.”
They’ve been cheerleaders for most of that time, as well.
They also are involved in school leadership. Morris is the senior class president, and Eldridge is the senior class secretary.
They first heard about the Varsity Spirit Spectacular when Chimacum went to cheer camp at Western Washington University over the summer.
All cheer captains at the camp were invited to the Varsity Spirit Spectacular, which runs from Dec. 3-7.
“We decided to take the opportunity,” Morris said.
The highlight of the Spirit Spectacular is a parade performance by all the cheerleaders on Disney’s Main Street U.S.A.
Morris and Eldridge are raising money, about $2,000 each, to help cover the cost of their trip — including airfare, hotel, uniforms, hotel and food.
They are holding a bake sale and selling raffle tickets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the QFC in Port Hadlock this Saturday, and are looking for items to raffle.
Contact Lori Morris, Deidra’s mom, at 360-531-0925 to donate.
Deidra Morris and Jaycie Eldridge also will be selling pompoms for $2 and Chimacum’s game against Port Townsend next Friday, Oct. 24, at Memorial Field.
Check donations can be mailed to 171 Renier Road, Nordland, WA 98358. Make checks out to either Deidra Morris or Jaycie Eldridge.
The girls will split the money.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
