Cheerleaders Seek Trip Money

BERLIN - It will be the trip of a lifetime for two varsity cheerleaders from Stephen Decatur High School, if they can raise the money to go.

Myla Waples, a 15-year-old sophpmore, and Amanda Pfaff, a 17-year-old senior, were selected as All Stars at a recent cheerleading camp at the Ocean City Convention Center.

As All-Stars, the only two selected from Worcester County, the two young women are eligible to participate in the Universal Cheerleaders Association 2009 London Varsity Spirit Parade held in London on New Year's Day 2009. In order to go, Waples and Pfaff need to raise $2,600 each by late October, a total of $5,200.

'Our parents can't just dish it out of their bank accounts,' Waples said.

'We're just trying to raise the money to go,' Pfaff said.

The young women, who have already spent three days visiting 60 to 65 businesses to request donations, are combining all funds donated.

'Pretty much anything we do to raise will be shared between us. We're doing this together,' Waples said. 'If Amanda doesn't go, my mom won't let me go.'

The two cheerleaders have already raised $1,350, enough for each to pay the required deposit on the eight-day trip, but there is still another $3,840 to go.

'We're trying to get as much as possible. The difference our parents will have to make up,' said Waples.

Family and friends will hold a fish fry to benefit the trip fund on Sept. 12 at Tyree-AME Church on Germantown Rd.

Pfaff and Waples even attended a Berlin Mayor and Council meeting this week to request a donation from the town.

The council declined to make a contribution, however. The town has a policy of not donating to individuals.

'The reason behind that is that everyone would be here,' said Berlin town attorney Dave Gaskill.

'Obviously, this is a good cause,' said Berlin's interim Mayor Gee Williams. 'I'll definitely support you as an individual.'

Williams, who has a background in public relations and fundraising, offered to give Waples and Pfaff tips on meeting their fundraising goal.

For more information, Waples may be contacted at 443-614-5515, and Pfaff at 443-614-0381.

'We both plan on cheerleading in college and it looks pretty good on a college application,' Waples said. 'It'll be a good experience.'