This summer, the Parkland Spirit Program (Cheer & Mascot) attended UCA Cheer Camp at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, where our athletes had an outstanding week of competition, leadership, and school spirit.
Varsity earned Spirit Sticks on all three nights, while Manny the Matador received the Mascot Mushy Award and JV earned the Top Banana Award on night one.
Sophomores Jezebel Rosales and freshman Alissa Small advanced to the final round of the JV Jump-Off competition. Seniors Riley Sarver and Daejah Mayhew reached the Varsity Jump-Off finals, with Daejah being crowned the overall Jump-Off Queen for the entire camp.
In team evaluations, JV earned two Blue Superior ribbons, while Varsity received a Gold Superior ribbon for its sideline and cheer routine.
The program also celebrated a record-breaking 12 All-American Cheerleaders. Each All American is eligible to participate in various parades around the world including Walt Disney World's Thanksgiving and Christmas Parades, Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade, Honolulu Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, or the London New Years Parade.
This year's UCA All Americans include:
Sophomores: Eli Nieto and Jeremiah Camacho
Juniors: Amaya Robles-Brown and Natalie Perez
Seniors: Alexis Fraire, Armani Zarate, Caliyah DiModica, Daejah Mayhew, Destiny Gaytan, Hope Mendoza, Jayla Wheelright, and Riley Sarver
Both of our mascots, Manny the Matador and Benny the Bull, were also named UCA All-Americans. They are eligible to participate in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Halftime in Orlando, FL.
On the final day of camp, we had the honor of celebrating the El Paso Times Coach of the Year Parkland Softball Head Coach William Montano as he was in Alpine, TX and stopped by our cheer camp! Following their routine performances, both JV and Varsity earned first- and second-place finishes in their respective divisions for each routine.
Manny, the Matador, received the Traditions Award for outstanding mascot performance. Each of our mascots also walked away with individual recognitions and came home with the Mascot Mushy Award!
The most meaningful recognition of the week was the Leadership Award. This award is voted on by the other teams at camp and recognizes the program that best demonstrates sportsmanship, positivity, and leadership, described as "the team others would want to be part of if they couldn't be on their own." Parkland Varsity was honored with this prestigious award by the cheer teams, while Benny the Bull earned the Leadership Award among the mascots.
The Parkland Spirit Program is incredibly proud of everything its athletes accomplished at camp. These achievements are an exciting way to kick off the 2026–2027 school year, and the team can't wait to bring their new skills, energy, and school spirit back to campus.
Sponsors: Bailey Sarver and Jacqueline Sandoval
GO MAD FOR THE MATADORS!
