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Winning Combination
by Danielle Bonilla
Blue and green will always be winning colors for Catherine Wechsler and Kate Morris, cheerleaders at Greenwich High School. The green and blue ribbon tied to their shoes proved to be the lucky colors that got them the opportunity to cheer at half time during this year's Pro Bowl. Joining the best talents in the NFL, Catherine and Kate were two of 400 girls chosen from thousands who competed for the chance to perform their skills before a live television audience, and at the same time, share the field with famous football legends.
The path to success wasn't easy. It takes hours of practice, six days a week. Cheerleading to perfection is harder than one would think. The risk of injury also exists, and it is not unusual for cheerleaders to get broken bones, concussions, cut lips, and more as they practice and perform their choreographed stunts and dances.
When Catherine and Kate learned that their hard work had paid off, and they had won spots on the All American Cheerleading team, they couldn't believe it. Catherine admitted that she went back to the judges desk, just to make sure that her name was called!
After an 11 hour trip to Hawaii (the home of the Pro Bowl), the girls were met by people "cheerleading" their arrival with big bright red signs of welcome.
The formation they had to learn for the half-time show was made more difficult because there were 400 girls who had to keep perfect time. Their days included 5 hours of practice, but there was also time to snorkel, go on boat trips, see Pearl Harbor, and more. Both girls admitted that this was an experience they will ever forget.
