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Danbury Girls Cheering Their Way To Philadelphia For Thanksgiving Parade

DANBURY, Conn. — Three young cheerleaders from Danbury have earned spots in the lineup of the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the nation. 

From left to right, Kiera McCarthy, Emily Bustelo and Ella Brown, all of Danbury and members of the Junior Hatters Cheerleaders, show where they’re headed next month.

From left to right, Kiera McCarthy, Emily Bustelo and Ella Brown, all of Danbury and members of the Junior Hatters Cheerleaders, show where they’re headed next month.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Danbury Junior Hatter cheerleaders pause for a group photo during their time at Universal Cheerleaders Association camp in Pine Forest, Pa., in August, 2016.

Danbury Junior Hatter cheerleaders pause for a group photo during their time at Universal Cheerleaders Association camp in Pine Forest, Pa., in August, 2016.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Danbury’s cheerleaders display hometown pride while at a cheerleading camp in Pennsylvania.

Danbury’s cheerleaders display hometown pride while at a cheerleading camp in Pennsylvania.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Kiera McCarthy, Emily Bustelo, and Ella Brown, the three Junior Hatters who earned All-Star status after tryouts in August, look forward to marching with other All-Americans in the 97th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.

Kiera McCarthy, Emily Bustelo, and Ella Brown, the three Junior Hatters who earned All-Star status after tryouts in August, look forward to marching with other All-Americans in the 97th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.

Photo Credit: Contributed

And they now are seeking community support to finance their trip to participate in the 97th annual Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Emily Bustelo, a student at Broadview Middle School; Ella Brown, from King Street Intermediate; and Kiera McCarthy of Westside Middle School Academy, will be fundraising with a bake sale at the Super Stop & Shop, 44 Lake Ave. Ext., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 29. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help them.

The trio were part of the Danbury PAL Junior Hatters Cheer Team that competed at the Universal Cheerleader Association Camp at Pine Forest in August in Pennsylvania. Each of the girls earned the title All-American, and with it, the opportunity to perform in the parade with other All-American cheerleaders from across the nation. 

"When I heard my name called that night after tryouts it felt so good! Since it is only my second year in cheer I was extremely surprised," McCarthy said. "As I received my medal, I was so happy. I can't wait to keep fundraising and go to Philly!"   

The girls will visit Philadelphia landmarks when they are not practicing routines with the rest of the All-American cheerleaders or marching in the parade. The trip will take place from Nov. 22 to 25.

“A lot of girls tried out, three made it. This was only our second year going to camp,” said Joyce Robbins, assistant coach and manager for the Junior Hatters. “They’ve achieved the skills needed to show the judges they were capable with jumps, dances and cheering skills, and they can work as a team.”

“The Junior Hatters are a squad of eighth-graders and under,” Robbins continued. “We’re considered a feeder program for Danbury High School. The DHS varsity team goes to this camp. It’s very significant for us to attend. No other youth program in the area does this.”

The girls on the Junior Hatters team are some of the youngest to participate in the camp and the All-American tryouts, she said. The Junior Hatters are coached by Samantha Robbins, assisted by Joyce Robbins and Brianne Shepherd.

For more information or to donate online, visit www.gofundme.com/phillyparade.

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