![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
Closing a chapter
Varsity cheerleader awarded OCCA academic scholarship
Photo courtesy of Maura Gilday taken by Erika Scott
Maura Gilday, senior, was awarded the OCCA academic scholarship alongside two cheerleaders from other Oregon high schools.
At the OSAA Cheer State Championship competition, the varsity cheer team placed second in the state and earned a spot for the national competition in late February. While the team did not win the competition as they had hoped, one member walked away with something more. Maura Gilday, senior, was one of three cheerleaders to be awarded an academic scholarship from the Oregon Cheerleading Coaches Association (OCCA).
“Over winter break I filled [the application] out and ended up getting [the scholarship],” Gilday said. “I had to put a lot of information in, [including] my GPA, official transcripts, a letter of [recommendation] from my coach and my teacher, I had to write an essay for it, and I also had to have a list of my extracurricular activities.”
In reference to the scholarship, the OCCA website explains, “Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA by the end of their junior year to be eligible to apply. Applicants are evaluated on their academic performance, dedication to their team and school, future goals, and community involvement.”
Gilday has been involved in cheer since her sophomore year and cheers for both the sideline and competition teams. On the teams, Gilday stunts, tumbles, cheers, and dances in a number of routines throughout the school year. Gilday did not have cheer experience prior to joining the team, however, she did have tumbling experience which helped secure her a spot. Gilday feels that her time on the team has contributed to her own growth as a cheerleader and as a person.
Gilday plans on attending San Diego State University to study International Business. While Gilday does not intend on cheering at the collegiate level, she does look at her time as a high school cheerleader as a valuable experience.
“I’m ready to start the next chapter of my life,” Gilday said. “I’m extremely grateful I decided to cheer and I’m thankful for all the experiences and opportunities I’ve had because of it.”
Copy editor-in-chief Lily Gottschling sits down with Gilday to discuss the scholarship and what cheer means to her.
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Lily Gottschling, senior, is the Copy Editor-in-Chief for wlhsNOW.com. She loves writing reviews, features, and opinions. She is also a co-host of the...
