The Parkland High School cheer team does more than just add spirit at Trojan football and basketball games. The Trojan cheer team also competes at various events and found success in 2023-24.

“This season’s team has a great work ethic where they are motivated in achieving their goals that were set at the beginning of the season,” said head coach Alyssa Feher. “Despite any obstacle that has been thrown their way, the team has stayed determined and focused on the bigger picture, which is making it to states and nationals.

“Their drive to do and be better both as athletes and a team is truly admirable. Every athlete has a role on the team, making it a well-oiled machine. This group of girls is the definition of what teamwork looks like.”

The Trojans squad recently competed at the District 11 Championship early in January and finished as runner-up, qualifying for the PIAA championships two weeks ago, where they advanced to the semifinals in the 3A Small Varsity Division at the Giant Center in Hershey.

“It was a huge accomplishment being awarded runner-up at districts and being state qualifiers for the second year in a row,” Feher said. “The team put in many hours in the gym working tirelessly to improve skills and increase difficulty leading up to the competition.

“When we’re not cheering at football or basketball games, we’re at practice running the routine, working on technique, taking tumbling classes and have workout sessions with Parkland’s strength and conditioning trainers to be the most successful we can be. It’s always a goal to be state qualifiers each season, but getting a medal is always very rewarding.”

The goal for the team was achieved and then more at states.

“The team has been looking forward to this moment all competition season,” said Feher. “It’s one of the biggest competitions and is a great experience to see different teams throughout the state. The goal was to make it to day two whether it was straight to finals or semifinals. Given the 3A Small Varsity Division is the largest at the event, there were a lot of difficult teams we went up against, but we were able to pull through and advance to semifinals.

“The team nailed their performances both days with zero deductions. They were the best routines the girls have run so far this season so I couldn’t be happier about that.”

They also competed at the North Eastern Regional Conference event in New Jersey in December and received third place and earned a spot at nationals in Florida on Feb. 9-12.

It is a long season and the team works hard cheering on Parkland athletic teams and competing in their own events for 10 months out of the year.