Nile C. Kinnick High School 2011 Cheerleaders Are Best In Far East
Story by Joe Schmitt, CFAY Public Affairs


Nile C. Kinnick High School cheerleaders pose for a photo during the Far East competition Nov. 13. The cheerleading squad won top honors for their team and individual routines that they came up with and performed during the competition. Photo by Brandon Donat

The Nile C. Kinnick High School Cheerleading squad took first place at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Pacific Far East competition Nov. 13. They bested other squads from DoDEA schools from all over Japan, Korea and Guam. “Ten cheerleaders are selected to go to the competition from every school each year.,” said Junior Varsity cheer coach Brandon Donat.” This year we brought eight of our varsity cheerleaders and two of our junior varsity (JV) students.”

The 10 cheerleaders were, Ajia Murphy, Josh Hunt, Khaimook Grosshuesch, Alexus Graddic, Jelisa Hall, Angela Holloman, Meme Johnson, Havilah Johnson, Joey Marino and Donna Angeles. Along with the coaches the cheerleaders traveled to Misawa Air Base to compete.

“We’ve been building up stunts and stuff all year at games and pep rallies but, when you go to the Far East (competition) you have to wipe all that out of your mind and learn an all new routine,” said Ajia Murphy, the squad’s student captain.

“It’s a minute and a half routine, you get the material at the camp and then you have to put together the routine. That was the main event,” said Donat. “There were other individual events but it’s the main routine that brings home the banner.”

The competition was judged by National Cheerleading Association (NCA) judges. The scores for the events were not announced until the very end. When they started announcing the results, the cheerleaders were gathered together waiting to see how they did.

“We thought we did pretty well but you never really know,” said Alexus Graddic. “There is that moment before and we were holding hands and hoping we had one it. Then, they said it was us and our whole team just went ridiculously crazy and we were so happy. It was great. It’s a moment I’ll remember forever.” Together the team received the following awards; first place in Division 1 competition, first place in Top Gun Tumbling Competition awarded to Joey Marino, first place in Partner Top Gun Stunts competition awarded to Josh Hunt and Meme Johnson, Nationals Invitation Bid, eight cheerleaders were awarded All-American Awards Ajia Murphy, Josh Hunt, Khaimook Grosshuesch, Alexus Graddic, Angela Holloman, Meme Johnson, Joes Marino and Donna Angeles, the entire team was awarded Superior Ribbon Awards (highest recognition), and the squad received an NCA Spirit Stick.

After this year most of the cheerleaders will graduate or will take on advance placement classes that will prevent them from participating in another year of cheerleading at Kinnick High School.

“It feels great to win for your last Far East [competition]. It feels like you’ve done your job or at least it felt that way to me,” said Murphy. “I think they will be able to do it again next year, they just have to work hard for it.”