Cheerleaders host clinic for next generation

Two Whittier cheerleaders organized and ran a clinic for girls interested in their sport. Junior Jelena Valentin and Sophomore Anne Jacques took on the event as a project for DECA, an organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. The clinic also served as a fundraiser for the varsity cheerleading team. 

“What I learned from doing this project is that it takes way more than it seems to do a fundraiser,” Jelena said. “There are things that need to be approved, fees to be paid and you’ve got to figure out how to get the word out.”

The 14 girls who attended the Dec. 8 clinic in the Whittier gymnasium were taught two cheers, a dance, and basic stunts by Whittier’s varsity cheerleaders. Parents were invited back for a show at the end so the girls could demonstrate what they had learned. Each participant received a t-shirt printed by students in Graphic Communications and a cheer bow.

Jelena and Anne selected Community Giving Project as their DECA category and used the project management skills they had learned to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close the project. The criteria was to: identify a problem, develop a project management plan related to the problem, implement the project using project management skills and develop a written report and presentation on the project. 

They worked with their Marketing Teacher Amanda Crosby and Cheerleading Coach Stephanie Hatchell to plan the event. “The participants had fun learning from our varsity cheerleaders and the team did a great job representing Whittier,” said Ms. Crosby.  The two students also completed a written report and presentation to document the event.

They look forward to expanding the clinic next year and having the girls who attend the clinic cheer at a Whittier football game during half time. “As a team, I felt we accomplished a great fundraiser and the fact that it’s going to stay consistent is great,” said Anne.