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"Flying High - Members of the Sequoyah High School cheerleading squad toss Junior Darci Scraper into a toe-touch during practice at summer camp. The SHS cheerleaders have received an invitation to compete in the NCA National Competition."

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Sequoyah High School cheerleading squad left summer camp with five ribbons, five All-American nominations, one trophy, and the grand prize of them all, an invitation to the National Cheerleader Association (NCA) National Cheerleading Competition in Dallas, Texas.

“I’m very excited,” said Bonnie Griffin, SHS cheerleading coach. “This squad is really good at crowd interaction, voice and overall showmanship. That really stood out at our camp evaluations. If we work hard at developing skills in other areas, such as jumps and tumbling we will be very strong.”

Griffin is no stranger to national competition, earning a national competition invitation with her 2004-05 SHS squad and competing nationally in 2002 with a squad from Bacone College. She knows what it takes to get a cheerleading squad ready for nationals.

“Competing in nationals takes a lot of preparation and hard work,” Griffin said. “This group can do it. I know they can. We will begin practicing next week for the NCA Nationals and working on the fundraising efforts to get us there.”

To earn an invitation to compete nationally, squads must perform exceptionally well at summer camp and show the potential to be one of the best in the nation. The NCA National Competition is broadcast on ESPN.

The SHS squad attended summer camp at Southern Methodist University. Cheerleaders who were nominated for All-American were Tes Hardison, Cherokee Bell, Monty Laroche, Roselyn Scott and Cassie Smith. A member of the NCA staff must nominate the cheerleader for the All-American title based on their cheerleading skills and leadership abilities on the squad.

Sequoyah High School "Home of the Indians!" P.O. Box 520, Tahlequah, OK 74465             Sequoyah High School Alumni P.O. Box 187, Park Hill, OK 74451-0187 Sequoyah High School, an Indian boarding school, originated in 1871, when the Cherokee National Council passed an act setting up an orphan asylum to take care of many orphans that came out of the Civil War. Sequoyah High School's approximate 300 enrollment represents 42 tribes and 14 different states. Students are eligible to attend if they are members of federally recognized Indian tribes or one-fourth blood descendants of such members.