News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Eight Livingston Academy cheerleaders just returned from performing at a Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade in Honolulu.
Coach Vanessa Farris said that the highlight of the trip was the group’s visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
“There were actually some of the vets who are still alive actually visiting the (USS) Arizona the same day as we were,” Farris said. “So they were on the boat ride over there with us and they’re looking at the wall of people they had served with and that was quite touching for all of the girls.”
Farris said that the opportunity came about from cheer camp over the summer. She said that the cheerleading organization Varsity Spirit allows cheerleaders at camp to try out for the All-American team, and if they score high enough, they are invited on special trips. She said that all eight of her seniors did well enough to earn the invitation.
Farris said that they were able to make the most of the six-day trip, even if one day was rained out. She said that they took trips to the North Shore, went ziplining, spent time on the beach, and learned a few things along the way.
“They really were quite touched by the veterans. We had our history teacher do a refresher lesson on Pearl Harbor and WWII before we went so that really helped them focus on that experiences and those girls will always remember that. For some of them, it was the first time flying so they learned to navigate the airport for a very long flight.”
As the coach of these young ladies, Farris said that it makes her happy to be part of lifelong memories they made on the trip.
