Arctic Warrior All Stars cheerleaders to compete in national championship

  • Published
  • By Airman Valerie Monroy
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Arctic Warrior All Stars prepare to head out for their first national championship on April 16-17, 2016.

The American Showcase National Championship in Anaheim, CA., provides the cheerleaders their first opportunity to travel outside Alaska as a team.

The Arctic Warrior All Stars is composed of 14 students, ages six to 14, chosen from cheerleading classes provided by JBER Instructional Youth Programs.

"The cheerleaders are added to the competition team based on skill level and attitude," said Kristen Bryant, the team's coach. "They move to the team when they're ready."

All team members are the children of military and Department of Defense members, which means the team goes through constant turnover.

"We always have kids in and out," Bryant said. "This specific group has been together since August, but the team is constantly changing."

"It takes a lot of work and dedication for all involved but it's been wonderful to see my girls grow and take so much pride in what they're doing," said Tech. Sgt. Nicole Jordan, 673d Contracting Squadron and mother of three children in the cheerleading program.

During the summer, many families go home to other parts of the country and miss out on practices.

"That just means we get a later start to prepare for the competition season than other teams," Bryant said.

Though the team may have obstacles, they continue to put their best foot forward.

Recently, the team received the Judges Choice award for overall performance, 2nd place in Group Stunt and 2nd place in Junior Two Team division, during the Top of the World cheerleading competition on Feb. 5, 2016. Certain team members also received 1st place in Tiny Individual, 3rd place in Tiny Individual and 1st place in Mini Duo.

"Really we just have great families that bend over backwards to make all this happen," Bryant said. "The level of commitment and investment from both the parents and the children, are the reason we've had such a successful season."

For Heidi Addotta, Arctic Warrior All Star cheerleader, the most rewarding part is growing with her teammates.

"I like that we're all a family," Addotta said. "We focus on winning together and improving together as a team."

Bryant explained she can see how much the team has developed together and how ready they are for this competition.

"Our experience with the team has been amazing, and as a parent I am beyond proud of my daughter and the entire team for their dedication and determination," said Adrianne Hoefler, mother of Abbigale Hoefer, 9. "I am proud to have our daughter be a part of something so remarkable."

For more information on classes offered by JBER Instructional Youth Programs call, 384-1508.