Sunny Isles Beach “Heats” Up
By Matt High, Athletics Program Coordinator, CHS

On Tuesday, February 28, 2006, Town Center Park started to sizzle with the Miami Heat Dancers making a surprise appearance for our youth Sunny Isles Beach cheerleaders. There were four Heat Dancers (Gina-Captain, Ashley, Laura, Casie), who dazzled the girls and their parents. It was a special treat for the youth cheerleaders as they got to see professional dancers performing. Also, the girls got to interact with the Heat Dancers, who taught them new cheers, dances, and chants.

As one Sunny Isles Beach cheerleader stated, “I want to be like the Heat Dancers when I grow up.” The Heat Dancers enjoyed instructing the youth girls and had a wonderful time. The dancers do not have many opportunities to instruct youth programs since they are busy dancing at NBA Basketball games during time-outs and at halftime. They travel the world making appearances at various events. It was special for the Heat Dancers as it brought them back to their roots. This was an opportunity for them to give back to the community and to the future of cheerleading/dancing.

Many pictures were taken in addition to autograph signings. They dazzled the group with some of the dances they perform at games. There was a question and answer session that the girls thoroughly enjoyed. Posters and trading cards that the Heat Dancers brought were given to the kids as a special treat. Many of the parents also had the opportunity to take pictures with the Heat Dancers.

As for the City of Sunny Isles Beach cheerleading program, this is the first time that we have hosted the sport. We have over 60 participants ranging in ages from 5 to 14. The coaches are Brittany Pelletz, Kimberly Hielscher, and Valori O’Brien all of whom attend Barry University. These coaches have done an excellent job in helping the City of Sunny Isles Beach promote this program. Many of the girls have never been involved in a cheerleading program. They are learning new chants, cheers, and drills each day. The cheerleaders will be performing at our youth basketball games in North Miami and also in competitions.

The Heat Dancers were friendly, courteous, and down to earth athletes. They provided a lot of excitement and fun for the girls. After it was over you could see that our cheerleaders were very energized and enthused with this experience. Town Center Park really ‘heated-up’ on a cool night.

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