Seven Socorro Independent School District students will perform with Cheer Force Athletics (CFA) at the 96th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City on Nov. 24, 2022.
Kiley Zapanta and Alexis Angeles from SSG. Manuel R. Puentes Middle School; Amaris Valdez and Ebony Ibarra from Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School; Kassandra Melendez, Alexa Candelaria, and Cherlyn Hernandez from Montwood High School; and six other CFA athletes will represent the Sun City performing a specially choreographed routine during the nationally televised parade.
Esther Melendez, coach and owner of CFA, a cheerleading program in El Paso, said team members have been preparing for their performance since February 2022 when they won the UTEP Cheerleading Championship, topping 42 other teams for the honor to participate in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
"Cheerleading teaches students to work hard for their goals," Melendez said. "It impacts their education because they can put it on their transcript and college applications. More than anything, this is a great honor. They worked hard and now they get to be on national television representing our community."
El Paso's City Council recognized the CFA cheerleaders during its regular public meeting on Nov. 8, 2022. The El Paso Star on the Mountain will be lit in the team's honor on Nov. 25, 2022, in time to welcome the squad back from New York.
Published November 14, 2022
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