HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, March 2, 2000
2000 Ron Paul 13:1
Mr. PAUL.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay
tribute to the winners of the National High
School Cheerleading Championship sponsored
by the Universal Cheerleaders Association
held in Orlando, Florida — the Victoria High
School Varsity Cheerleaders of Victoria,
Texas. This victory follows a history of winning
third place in 1997, and second place in 1998.
2000 Ron Paul 13:2
By taking the championship in 1999, Victoria
High became the first Texas squad to ever win
the National Championship. With this second
impressive win, the VHS Cheerleaders became
the first squad in the nation to win back-to-back
championships in the Medium Varsity
Division of the UCA Nationals.
2000 Ron Paul 13:3
The competition was fierce, with the Regional
competition starting in November, 1999,
when the squads first place win put them in
line to take on 65 of the best of the best in
Nationals. The teens first trip before the
judges in the preliminary round earned them a
shot at the national championship, where they
gave a stellar performance, shutting out their
competition consisting of the top 14 squads in
the country.
2000 Ron Paul 13:4
I am proud to recognize this very talented
group of students for excelling in this very demanding
sport. But I am equally proud to applaud
their selfless efforts in representing their
school through community service to the
American Cancer Society, March of Dimes,
American Heart Association, and the Texas
Zoo of Victoria. They visit local elementary
schools and participate in pep rallies during
Red Ribbon Week and TAAS week. Each student
is also required to maintain an 80 overall
average while passing each class. They are to
be commended for participating in these additional
activities.
2000 Ron Paul 13:5
National championships do not come along
by accident. Many, many hours of practice
and training must take place to achieve them.
Leadership is also a key ingredient. I want to
recognize the VHS teachers, Denise Neel and
Terese Reese, who helped make this goal a
reality. Additionally, I commend the parents of
each cheerleader who, no doubt, contributed
greatly to this success.
2000 Ron Paul 13:6
This group of students deserve the honor
they have earned. I commend each one of
them: Laurie Beck — Co-Head Cheerleader,
Amy Reinmann — Co-Head Cheerleader,
Vanessa Bludau, Amber Clemmons, Sara
Dickson, Courtney Horecka, Haley Kolle,
Lacey Reed, Amanda Rodriguez, Karla
Sterne, Sarah Carville, Melissa Keefe, Chelsie
Luhn, Julia McLarry, Rachel Schmitt, and Ashley
Valentine.
2000 Ron Paul 13:7
I am proud to have these two-time national
champions in the 14th Congressional District
of Texas, and trust all my colleagues join me
in congratulating them on this impressive
achievement.