RRHS cheerleaders go to Hawaii for Pearl Harbor Parade

RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho High School senior cheerleaders recently traveled to Hawaii to take part in the Pearl Harbor Parade Dec. 7.

The Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade is an annual event that honors and pays respect to the Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans, active-duty military members and their families. The parade’s theme is “remembering our past while celebrating that once bitter enemies can become friends and allies.”

During a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Masters Camp in Loveland, Colorado, in July, all 10 RRHS seniors earned All-American honors.

“This is actually our first year ever in Rio Rancho High School that all 10 seniors made All-American. Normally they just pick two out of however many seniors that year,” RRHS head coach Elisa Lopez said.

The RRHS cheerleaders in Hawaii were second base/tumbler Madison Pitts, main base Emma Garduno, main base Ashley Hernandez, flyer/side base Isabella Miller, flyer Miquela Yardman, main base Mia Salinas, flyer Anika Fernandez, back spot Gabriela Baca, back spot Allyson Maes, and back spot Maximo Valdez.

In UCA, cheerleaders can try out for All-American. If a cheerleader makes the cut, they are invited to events across the country.

Lopez, who was a member of the RRHS Class of 2016, said, “It’s pretty cool honestly, and for my first year as head coach, it’s quite an honor.”

Here’s what the RRHS cheerleaders had to say about their recent trip:Madison Pitts

“We all chose Hawaii. It was nice to be inclusive and celebrate with our team and honor Pearl Harbor.”

Emma Garduno

“The weather was really nice. We went to the beach a lot, and we got to be in the parade; that was pretty cool. And, everyone out there was super nice.”

Ashley Hernandez

“I tried a lot of new things, like new foods. I got to meet new people, other cheerleaders from other states. It was fun. The Pearl Harbor Parade was like two miles long.”

Isabella Miller

“It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed bonding with my teammates, forming a better connection, and the parade was a really fun experience.”

Miquela Yardman

“It was really cool getting to experience that since I have never been; most of us haven’t (I don’t think). Being able to meet new people and be surrounded by that environment.”

Mia Salinas

“It was so fun just representing Pearl Harbor and cheering for them ... the people there, and everyone is just so nice.”

Anika Fernandez

“The whole experience was fun being able to learn more about Pearl Harbor, and being in the parade itself is just so amazing and so fun. It was a one-time experience, and being able to spend time with my teammates was absolutely amazing.”

Gabriela Baca

“Hawaii was so much fun, and it was so cool seeing the history behind Pearl Harbor — and performing in a parade that big.”

Allyson Maes

“My favorite part was going on the tours to see the USS Missouri, Arizona, and all of that.”

Maximo Valdez

“Although we were there for All-American, it was cool seeing the actual Pearl Harbor Parade and Memorial site.”