The Luther Burbank Middle School Competition Cheer team brought home the Jr. USA National winning title! The girls won first place in the Jr. USA Nationals competition on Sunday, February 28, at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Under the skillful eye and direction of Coach Jenifer Coderko, the cheer team has placed first in two regional qualifying competitions held previously in the school year at Summit High School in Fontana and Agoura Hills High School in Agoura Hills.
Last year, Luther Burbank Middle School Competition Cheer placed second at the Jr. USA Nationals competition at Disneyland. In 2014 Luther took home first place and won the Jr. USA National championship.
In the preliminaries at Jr. USA Nationals, after a flawless performance, and competing against five other amazing teams, the Luther Cheer team was announced as one of the finalists to compete in the finals for the second round. Tensions were high in the final competition, but after giving it their all, the girls took home the National win!
The other five schools in Luther Cheer’s division were Ethan A. Chase Middle School from Menifee, CA, Union Middle School from San Jose, CA, Becker Middle School from Las Vegas, NV, Canyon Lake Middle School from Lake Elsinore, CA, and Palm Desert Charter Middle School from Palm Desert, CA.
Coderko, a former Burbank High School cheerleader and 2008 graduate, has led the squad for the past six years. “I was so proud of the girls, the way they performed and how they carried themselves. They did their best and as a coach you can’t ask for more. I am so blessed to have such hardworking and talented girls on my team.”
Eighth graders Mikayla Hayes, Brianna Ortega, Angie Joven, Milana Antonio, Shaylee Kelman, Jessica French, and Stephanie Miles competed in their final Jr. USA Nationals for the Luther Competition Cheer team. Team members also include Marinna Salazar, Dani Swaisgood, Amanda Coye, Connie Mckeehan, Dainava Petrulis, Darby Nealis, Elizabeth Flores, Grace Mokrack, Jade Riley, Kendall King, Lana Mesina, Lindsay Reardon, Luci Kelman, Melissa Ramos, Regina Ramos, Sofia Ford Smith and Sophia Terrano.
