Charlotte High cheerleaders head to Disney for first-ever UCA Nationals

The Charlotte High School competitive cheer team is stepping onto a national stage for the first time. The team has earned a spot at the UCA Nationals at Disney World in Orlando, marking a significant milestone for the program.

Cristi White, coach of the Charlotte High School cheer team and a Charlotte High graduate, shared her excitement about this achievement.

"I knew the talent that we had here at the school, and I knew that we could be successful," said White.

This marks the team's first-ever trip to UCA Nationals at Walt Disney World.

"There was definitely tears. We were really, really, really excited. We just We just, we performed very well, and we were very proud of ourselves," said Ashlyn Dumont, a junior on the team.

The team recently made school history by becoming regional runner-ups, showcasing their growth in just a few years.

"I feel like we've definitely bonded, and our work ethic and how motivated we are at practice has definitely grown so much. We all want to be here, and we all want to win. We all want to do this together, so it's going to be a great experience," said Ava Deangelis, another junior on the team.

When asked about the secret to their success, Sophia Waldrop, a junior, explained their unique approach.

"Our favorite thing is mat talk. We do it all the time. We talk to each other on the mat and we tell each other we got this and stuff to keep each other going," said Waldrop.

Olivia Lonce, a senior, emphasized the team's unity.

"I want the community to know how hard we really try. And we're not just a team. We are a family," said Lonce.

Coach White hopes the impact of this achievement goes beyond the competition results.

"I do feel like all my favorite memories from high school were from cheerleading. So I do want this to just be a great high school memory that they will never forget," said White.

The team will travel to Orlando next week and compete at UCA Nationals on Saturday.