The Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) has chosen four seniors to be on its staff. Seniors Landyn Gage, Tyler Carver, Trinity Kulow and Hannah Son received the news during spring break on Saturday, March 17.

“[The seniors] knew last June that the UCA was interested and wanted them to be apart of the program,” cheer coach Jill Van Klink said. “They [worked] on their skills and [kept] cheering all year so now that they’re going to be adults and free from high school they can apply. It’s like a summer job that goes all year round.”

In order to be chosen for the staff, the students either had to be invited or fill out an application to be invited. After making the staff, the students will be given the opportunity to work nationals, UIL competitions and host cheer camps all throughout the country.

“We were invited but we had a choice to come try out or not,” Gage said. “It’s just mainly that UCA staff is something I can do as a job over the summer. I get to go out and do cheer stuff, which is what I love to do. [I hope to] work with more people younger and figure out how I can be a leader to younger people.”

The seniors will be taught a series of new materials including stunting techniques, liability issues, environmental safety and other topics relating to the practices and performance of cheerleading skills. Being on the staff allows them to take away how to talk and reach a crowd which will be useful in any profession the seniors choose to pursue.

“I hope to learn how to be a better cheerleader overall,” Son said. “I also hope to learn how to be social because I want to be a teacher, so I think those skills will be beneficial later. I definitely want to continue to cheer in college and be a part of UCA staff in the years to come.”