PHS cheer to perform at Holiday Bowl in San Diego

PALMER — A phone call out of the blue has led to an opportunity of a lifetime for a group of girls who spend their fall cheering on Palmer blue.

A dozen Palmer High School football cheerleaders will perform during the National University Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif., Monday. As her team was set to depart Thursday evening, PHS cheer coach Ashley Harman said the chance to be part of the college football festivity started with a surprise phone call earlier this year

“A company that does performance stuff just called me out of the blue. They told us about it, and invited us,” Harman said.

The Holiday Bowl, which features Arizona State and Texas Tech this year, is nationally televised on ESPN, Monday at 6:15 p.m. AST.

“At first I was kind of shocked. I didn’t know. I was super surprised and wanted more information,” Harman said.

Harman said, the more she thought about it, the more she thought it would be fun for her athletes.

“It’s a good opportunity to get out of state,” Harman said.

The football game is the centerpiece of a trip, that does not lack great opportunities for the PHS students. Harman said her cheerleaders will get to work with Dmitry Chaplin, star of the Fox Television show So You Think You Can Dance. The Palmer students will also have the chance to walk in the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade Monday morning, and work with the cheerleading squad of the National Football League’s San Diego Chargers.

“It’s a real good opportunity for all the girls,” Harman said. “We’re really excited.”

Harman said it’s the first chance for her girls to perform outside Alaska.

Harman said an intense fundraising effort and the generous support from the community were key in making this trip a reality.

“I swear we did everything,” Harman said of fundraising.

Harman said O’Reilly Auto Parts in Palmer routinely allowed the team to host car washes in its parking lot. The team sold baked goods in front of Three Bears, dished ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, and sold Italian sodas and 50-50 split-the-pot raffle tickets at Palmer’s home football games. Girls on the squad also modeled clothing at In-fu-sion Boutique.

Harman said she’s very thankful for the support of her team and the opportunity to make the trip happen.

“I love Palmer. It’s amazing. Everyone’s always super supportive. We have a great group of parents, and there are always a lot of special businesses that are always willing to help us,” Harman said.

Harman said if it was not for the regular financial support the Moose cheerleaders see from local businesses that funds the annual costs for the Moose to have a cheer team, it never would have been possible to do the extra fundraising.

“We’re really grateful,” she said.

Harman said the trip is costing about $1,800 per performer. The entire group, which also includes parents who are funding their own way to California, is at about 27 people.

Harman said the team will be in California for about a week. In addition to the planned festivities, Harman said her girls are also hoping to spend some time on the beach.