A handful of Philo High School cheerleaders are spending the New Year in Orlando after being selected to perform during Citrus Bowl between Kentucky and Penn State.

After standout performances in July during the Universal Cheerleaders Association summer camp at Ohio State which earned the JV and Varsity squads top honors, 13 members were invited to participate in the Citrus Bowl pre-game performance.

From that group, five were able to make the trip to Florida, but not without a lot of teamwork amongst the Philo Athletic Boosters, coaches Jessi Fuller and Mailee Mumford, the girls and their parents to make it possible.

“They held a spaghetti dinner, sold raffle tickets, sold spirit wear, sold pepperoni rolls, and volunteered their time at various sporting events in the Philo Community,” said coach Jessi Fuller in an email. “We are very thankful and grateful to have such a wonderful community willing to come together to make their dreams come true.”

The five participating cheerleaders are Seniors Josi Harrop, Jessica Middleton and Delaney Mumford, as well as Junior Lacey Jarrett and Sophomore Emma Shaeffer.

Each of the girls shared that they were looking forward to a trip full of firsts, for some including a first time flying, a first time to Walt Disney World and a first time performing in a professional football stadium.

But perhaps most importantly, the girls all said they were excited to share the experience with each other.

“I am looking forward to growing as a team and being a part of this once in a lifetime experience,” said Mumford.

The experience is one that the team now also shares with their coach, Jessi Fuller.

“Just 20 years ago, my team and I traveled with UCA and performed at this exact bowl game,” said Fuller. “I was excited that the girls wanted to go.”