More than 1,000 cheerleaders representing high school and middle school squads from Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Dutchess and Bronx counties will vie for top honors during the 59th Annual Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 26, 27 and 28, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
Both middle school and junior varsity competitions will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday. Small and large varsity divisions will compete at 7 p.m. all three days.
Squads will be judged on their jumps, tumbling, partner stunts, pyramids/basket tosses, choreography, timing, projection and the difficulty of their routines.
Trophies will be awarded for first through third place finishes for both small and large varsity squads; first through third place for junior varsity; and first and second place for middle school.
The “Grand Champions” trophy competition, during which the first place winners of the small and large varsity squads from each day will face off, will take place on Wednesday night after the varsity competition. At the conclusion of the competition, all varsity, junior varsity and middle school squads will be eligible for the Team Spirit Award sponsored by the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association.
To add to the excitement, scholarships will be awarded based on candidates’ academic average, a written essay, school and community involvement, cheerleading ability as well as a group interview.
The United States Marine Corps Recruiting Service Color Guard, the Marine Air Group-49 Color Guard and the Young Marines of Westchester will present the colors for the opening ceremony each evening.
Admission is $7 for adult spectators, $5 for students with school I.D. (one ticket per I.D.), and for children under 12. Tickets are on sale at the County Center box office, which is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.
The Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational is sponsored by Westchester County Parks, the Westchester County Cheerleading Association and the Westchester County Police Benevolent Association.
The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Avenue, at the junction of the Bronx River Parkway and Tarrytown Road (Route 119) in White Plains. The building and parking lots are accessible to people with disabilities. Parking is $4 per car. The County Center is also accessible via the Westchester County BEE-LINE Bus System and is a short walk from the White Plains Metro-North train station.
For more information, call the Westchester County Center at (914) 995-4050 or log on to
www.countycenter.biz.