NRHEG Cheerleader takes part in Pearl Harbor parade

NRHEG Junior Madison Bogue took part in the Dec. 7 parade memorializing the 1941 surprise attack on the U.S. Naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a day which will famously “live in infamy.”

The opportunity was part of a six-day trip made available to individuals who had earned the title of “All-American” from the Universal Cheer Association (UCA), a national group which sponsors many competitions and events.

Madison has been an NRHEG cheerleader for eight years; her most recent leadership roles have been as captain of the “sideline” cheer teams for both fall and winter sports. She has also been with the competition cheer team through its exciting accomplishments over the past few years. She explains cheer team members routinely take part in a UCA training camp in the Twin Cities sometime early each summer. New techniques and trends are covered, teams have a chance to present their routines and receive feedback, and cheerleaders can try out for the title of All-American by demonstrating their skill at jumps and pre-released dance and cheer routines.

Madison earned the distinction this past summer; along with it came the opportunity to take part in a national-level event. Offered a couple of choices, she selected the Pearl Harbor parade.

Madison says she and her parents Sara and Aaron flew to Hawaii early in December and stayed through Dec. 9. Some enjoyable family activities included spending time on the beach, visiting surf shops, snorkeling with sea turtles, visiting Pearl Harbor, and touring the USS Arizona memorial.

She explains ACU participants had received instructions for the planned dance and cheer already in October and all group members were expected to have it thoroughly memorized as they arrived. The roughly 700 All-American cheerleaders who took part came from all across the country. They were divided into four teams of about 120. According to online sources, the parade lasts well over an hour and spans a route over a mile long. In addition to that, Madison remembers, she and her group walked well over a mile from the site of their practice to the starting point. Once in the parade, they performed cheers, danced, and occasionally greeted the crowd. During the parade, she says, she and her group performed their nearly three-minute dance routine 14 times.

Even with such a capable group of cheerleaders and even with the expectation of preparing in advance, Madison explains a practice held beforehand was nearly four hours long. “Each group added its own special touches,” she comments. “And the finished presentation needed to be really sharp.”

One effect that could only be practiced in company with the entire group, she said, is known as a “ripple.” For this, participants had to synchronize their movements, so the colors of their lifted pom poms made it seem as if a wave was flowing across the top of the group from one side to the other.

Madison says it was an honor to be part of the Pearl Harbor parade, adding she made many friends whose interests are similar to hers. She also observed it was a rare opportunity to share her skills as part of such a large group. Finally, the trip to Hawaii with family was a delightful opportunity,

“I’m really glad I had the chance to do it,” she says.

Even though she was chosen as an All American for 2024, she notes she does not automatically continue as one in 2025; if she is interested in acquiring the title again, she will have to try out again this coming June.

In the meantime, she and the competition cheer team expect to be very busy over the next few weeks. They are centering their energies on continuing a winning record during a competition on Jan. 11, another on Jan. 18 and the state contest set for Feb. 8.