Local Dancers To Perform In London's New Year's Day Parade

Eatonville High School is proud to announce that its Dance members, Captain Taylor James, Araya Vonderhorst, and Kadance Watkins, will represent Varsity Spirit, the global leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps and competitions, and a division of Varsity Brands, the market leader in team sports, school spirit and achievement recognition, in the London New Year's Day Parade in London, England from December 26, 2022 – January 3, 2023.

Eatonville dance members Araya Vonderhorst, Taylor James, and Kadance Watkins show off their invites from Varsity Spirit to perform in the New Years' Day parade in London. Photo - Melanie Rodewald.

Cheerleaders, dancers, and drum majors who are invited to perform in the London New Year's Day Parade are part of a select group of All-Americans identified at Varsity Spirit summer camps across the country. All-Americans are based on superior cheerleading, dance, or drum major skills as well as leadership skills at camps operated by Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), Universal Dance Association (UDA), National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), National Dance Alliance (NDA), United Spirit Association (USA) or Urban Cheerleading Experience (UCE). Cruise Control Dance Team attended UDA Home Camp at EHS on August 18 - 20 where They were selected as an All-American. Only the top 12% of the cheerleaders and dancers from Varsity Spirit camps earn the chance to participate in a performance of this caliber.

"We are thrilled to be back participating in the London New Year's Day Parade, and that these excellent athletes will have the chance to perform and experience our Special Events abroad," said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit. "We are honored to provide them a one-of-a-kind opportunity, where they will meet and connect with cheerleaders, dancers, and drum majors from across the United States, as well as be a part of an international and historical parade experience."

Taylor, Araya, and Kadance will perform with Varsity Spirit All-Americans in an exclusive performance on Piccadilly. Since its inaugural parade in 1987, the London New Year's Day Parade attracts over 10,000 participants from the USA, UK, Europe, and beyond to delight a street audience of over 500,000 and a TV audience, which reaches more than 500,000,000 annually.

Besides being able to perform in a world-renowned parade, athletes will have the opportunity to meet cheerleaders and dancers from across the US and enjoy a memorable trip to one of the world's most popular cities.

Taylor is most excited about traveling out of the country and seeing the culture and architecture in London.

Araya is looking forward to participating in such a big tradition in London. She is excited to experience the culture of another country.

Kadance can't wait to see Big Ben and participate in a parade in a different country.

All 3 girls are working very hard on fundraising efforts to make this dream come true.

The Varsity Spirit All-American program is celebrating more than 30 years of honoring camp standouts. For more information, visit London New Year's Day Parade.

About Varsity Spirit

Memphis-based Varsity Spirit, the driving force behind cheerleading's dynamic transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, is the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, and performing arts. A division of Varsity Brands, Varsity Spirit is a leader in uniform innovation, as well as educational camps, clinics, and competitions, impacting more than a million athletes each year. Focused on safety, entertainment, and leadership, Varsity Spirit's employees have been dedicated to celebrating spirit through its brands since 1974. For more information about Varsity Spirit or Varsity Brands, please visit varsity.com or varsitybrands.com.