Cheerleaders Aim for Nationals with Fund-Raiser at PCMS

Port Chester's JV Cheerleaders got closer to Maryland on Sunday without ever leaving the middle school parking lot.

With their eyes set on a national cheer competition in Ocean City, Md., 22 cheerleaders employed hand-made signs and cheerleading routines to catch the attention of drivers passing by on Bowman Avenue. The girls washed cars for six hours to raise money for the trip and for a choreographer who will help them prepare for the competition.

While the girls are no strangers to cheerleading competitions, this will be their biggest yet.

"We go to approximately nine competitions a year, including one at the Westchester County Center during the week of Thanksgiving," said ToniAnn Karlsson, the team's coach.

The team will bring in a choreographer who will help them devise the well-formulated rhythm and dance routines they'll need for the event in Ocean City.

The cheerleaders will take on the national challenge while still handling all their normal duties — they'll cheer for all football games at home and away this season, as well as every time the men's basketball team plays in Port Chester during the winter months.

Halfway through the day Sunday, the hard work was paying off as friends, neighbors and passersby drove into the Port Chester Middle School lot and supported the team.

"We've gotten a lot of donations so far," said Stefania Oliveros, a sophomore at Port Chester High School. "Someone even gave us $100."

"We're all looking forward to the competition," said Kaylee Rothweiler, another member of the JV Cheerleading team.

The team didn't have a tally for how much money they'd raised Sunday, but Karlsson said she was happy with the support from the Port Chester and Rye Brook natives who were taking their cars in for a wash.

"It's a fun way to get the girls involved, and a great way to gain recognition in the community," she said.