Recently Carly Manzi and Janine Chillemi had been chosen to attend Disney’s annual Christmas Parade. These girls are extremely hard working and dedicated cheerleaders and we are thankful to call them ours. From a young age, they both have worked hard to become the cheerleaders they are today with the support of their families and friends along the way. As freshmen, both Carly and Janine tried out for cheer and made it onto the Varsity squad. To learn more about Carly and Janine’s cheer leading career, the Hawthorne High School Clarion had the pleasure of asking the girls a few questions about their experiences of doing cheer and how it lead to this huge opportunity.

Clarion: What inspired you to become a cheerleader and who would you say has been your number one supporter throughout your cheerleading career?

Carly: I am not exactly sure what inspired me personally, but I saw the paper to sign up and I was open to trying new things. I would say that my mom and dad are especially my biggest supporters because they have not missed one game and are allowing me to take this amazing opportunity in Disney.

Janine: I have always wanted to become a cheerleader since I was little, but my mother never really wanted me to, so I didn’t. In seventh grade my mother finally allowed me to do it, and I have been doing it ever since. My parents and coaches are definitely a big part of my cheerleading career, because without them I would not have had this great opportunity of going to Disney.

Clarion: How did you find out about this great opportunity and can you  share your experience of trying out?

Carly: At the cheer camp we attended over the summer at Rowan University, the NCA All American Team was holding tryouts for cheerleaders to join the team. First, one of the staff has to nominate you, and once nominated, you have the option to try out. Once you make the team you have the opportunity to go to multiple places and Disney was an option! At tryouts, you had to get a score of at least a 23 out of 30. I was extremely nervous, but I am glad that I made the team!

Janine: While we were away at cheer camp over the summer at Rowan University, I had the chance to try out for the All-American Cheer team. I was first nominated by an NCA staff member and eventually pushed myself to actually try out! I was really nervous at first, especially because this was my first time at cheer camp. Luckily, I had a high enough score to be able to take part in this amazing trip to Disney!

Clarion : What were some of the activities that you participated in while in Disney? Describe some of your most unforgettable memories that you have made on this trip.

Carly:  We got to participate in great practices and then the parade! There were thousands of people there, and we had a blast! Also, my brother, Janine, and I got to hang out and go to the parks together! This trip overall was one huge unforgettable memory, and for me to have this experience with Janine made it even better.

Janine: We had such a fantastic time from meeting new people to being able to participate in the parade. There are so many memories from this trip that I could go on forever, but personally one of the best memories made at Disney is being able to do what I love with friends and family by my side.

Clarion: While away, what have you gained from this trip? In other words, have you met some new friends that you plan to keep in touch with or some new learning experiences that have impacted you in some way?

Carly: We made amazing new friends that actually live in New Jersey and go to Ocean Township High School. We are planning to meet up one day at Garden State Plaza!

Janine:  I did make new friends! The best part about meeting them, is finding out that they live in New Jersey too! I plan to keep in touch with them and hope to meet up with them again soon!

Clarion: Lastly, what are some of the best memories that you have made at Hawthorne High School cheer so far?

Carly:  Some of the best memories that I have made as a Hawthorne High School Cheerleader are the amazing competitions during the winter and also the football games. I love the competitions because we are able to do both individual and team events! The football games under the Friday night lights are also my one of my favorites because of the high energy in the crowd and the intense game on the field. Being able to cheer with a great team has made me extremely happy that I can not only love what I do, but I love what I do with great friends that I know are always by my side.

Janine: Some of the best memories I have made at Hawthorne High School so far is definitely cheer competitions. My first season on varsity was basketball season, which also happens to be when we compete. I did a few individuals and then of course performed with the team!

We can see that these two girls are definitely dedicated to something that they love. They have worked nonstop day in and day out to become the athletes that they are today, proving that hard work really does pay off. The Clarion and many others can not wait to see the many accomplishments and goals that these girls will surely continue to excel at throughout their time in Hawthorne High School and beyond.