The Mid-Island Elite Junior Cheering squad comprised of Plainview residents Jessica Doremus and Melissa Barbuck recently competed in the ECA/EDA 2007 All Star Nationals. The weekend long competition was held in Hershey, Pa. Besides competing twice over the weekend, all the cheer teams, their families and friends were able to visit Hershey Park on Sunday.

In order to compete in this competition, the squad had to be bumped up two competitive levels from a Level 1 competitive team to a Level 3 competitive team. The squads' coaches decided to take the challenge and in 2 weeks time, changed their routine and dance steps to include the required more difficult stunts, including back handsprings by the girls.

The junior team, after competing on Saturday afternoon, was only points out of second place. The team had a late slot on Sunday to compete, so they decided to go to Hershey Park as soon as the park opened. Their goal; win the competition and go on all the roller coaster rides in Hershey Park. Some of the girls, Jessica Doremus included, did obtain one of their goals. They were able to go on every roller coaster in the park. The girls went immediately from the park to the Hershey Giant Stadium to get ready for the second round of competition. After competing on Sunday, the squad came away from the competition with a 4th place finish. They competed against teams from New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, Delaware, and upstate NY.

Before the competition started, the captains of each cheer squad were able to select up to 6 girls on the squad to wear ribbons on their sneakers. These ribbons enabled the girls to be judged separately by a panel of judges throughout the competition. They were judged on their stunts, tumbling, dancing and all around cheer ability. If selected, the girls would be eligible to perform at the half time show of the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Oahu. Several of the girls from the Mid Island Elite squad, Jessica Doremus and Melissa Barbuck included, were selected by the team of judges. The girls and their families are looking forward to their trip to Honolulu and performing at the NFL Pro Bowl on February, 10, 2008.