New Year cheer in London

Some Conway cheerleaders rang in the new year by marching in the London New Year’s parade. Conway cheerleading members, Aliyah Golden, Kaitlyn Kerkhoff, Lynsey Smith, and Sophia Evers represented Varsity Spirit, a division of Varsity Brands, a leader in team sports, school, in the London New Year’s Day Parade in London, England from Dec. 26 through Jan. 3. Stacy Mathews, Conway cheerleader coach, said the trip came about from a cheer camp the school participates in over the summer. “Part of cheer camp is they learn some cheers, a dance, and techniques. “They try out for what’s called All American, so we had our entire team try out,” she said. “Last year we only had three people make All American, this year we had eight people, which was pretty incredible. We had six high schoolers and two junior high kids make All American this year. For more on this story, see Saturday's LCR.