The St. Croix Educational Complex High School’s Barras Cheer Squad will be traveling to Orlando, Florida, to compete in the 2025 World School Cheerleading Competition.
The 30 athletes are set to leave Wednesday and will have a few days to enjoy Disney World before the competition. Their first performance is scheduled during the National High School Cheerleading Championship, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
According to a press release from the Virgin Islands Education Department, “The World School Cheerleading Competition, hosted by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), is one of the most prestigious events in high school cheerleading, bringing together elite teams from across the globe.”
Up against premier teams, the Barras Cheer Squad is set to demonstrate its power, accuracy, and relentless energy on the world stage. Head Coach of the Barras Cheer Squad, Dana Philogene-Victor, said, “They can’t stop talking about it. It has been a ray of emotions from excited to nervous. “
This is the squad’s second time competing in the competition. Last year, they placed fifth out of seven teams in the Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Division and secured third place in the Competition of Nations.
This year, the team plans to leave it all on the mat as they have been conducting intense training. “We’ve been practicing from May 2024 through the summer and straight through. We’ve been working extremely hard and still managing to cheer for volleyball, basketball and other games within the school,” said Philogene-Victor. The students have also made many sacrifices to not miss out in practices, including missing some events, parties and other gatherings to train.
Even though their practices have been aggressive, they’ve still managed to fit in some fun. Creating TikToks and other bonding activities have contributed to their unity and team spirit.
Philogene-Victor not only trains the St. Croix Educational Complex Cheer Squad but also works with the Lew Muckle Elementary School team.
The Barras Cheer Squad members include Alia Osborne, Aminah Emanuel, Alyna Richards, Aniyah Williams, Arielle Chery, Aure’ Baptiste, Carilyz Marmolejos, India Ragnauth, Jahilah Carroll, J’Neolise Green, K’Asia O’Brvan, Kavda Baird-Williams. Kavlee Corcino. Kiara Gumbs, K’Layah Parris, K’Taesha Brewster, Kyla Miles, Leiani Byron, Mah’Kaijah Jean, Marley Cassius, Melanie Lewis, Nayelis St. Omer, Ne’zah Barnes, Samyrah Lake, Sa’Nivah Morris, Se’Kaijah Freeman, Sophia Henry, Terrise Mitchell, Zahaira Cromwell, Aamvah Petersen (alternate) and assistant Coach Aniah John.
