Mercedes, Texas – Mercedes High School is proud to announce that senior Kalynn Serna will represent Varsity Spirit, the global leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps and competitions, in the London New Year’s Day Parade in London, England from December 26, 2023 – January 2, 2024.
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).
Mercedes High School attended NCA CAMP at the University of Texas at San Antonio in July where she was 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 one of our Special Events abroad,” said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit. “We are honored to provide athletes 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.”
Kalynn 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 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.
“I am looking forward to attending this special event and grateful that I get to represent my hometown and my school,” Kalynn said. “I am the only Mercedes High School Cheerleader that has been two-time NCA All-American in recent history; which is such a prestige accomplishment for me and the Mercedes High School Varsity Cheer program.”
Kalynn was also the first varsity cheerleader from Mercedes to represent at an NCA All-American event in Hawaii last year and said she is grateful to have the opportunity to represent her team again.
“ Making All-American last year was always a dream of mine and I was over the moon when I was chosen again this year,” she said. “In the cheerleading world everybody is aware how prestigious this try out is. Many are given the opportunity to try out but only the top 12% in the nation actually make the cut. I hope to continue cheering in college as a proud Mercedes alumni.”
The Varsity Spirit All-American program is celebrating more than 30 years of honoring camp standouts. For more information, visit www.varsity.com/london-new-years-parade/.