Although football season has ended and Thanksgiving break looms, the Union High School Band and Cheerleading Squad are taking on new opportunities. The Union High School Band was recently selected to perform at the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Football game on Dec. 14. The Union High School and Middle School Cheerleading Squads will also compete in their first major competition the same day. Tremendous opportunities surround both of these school organizations, and they have wasted no time taking advantage of them.
The Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Football Game will take place on Dec. 14 with kickoff at noon. This game consists of two teams picked from all of the football teams across Mississippi and Alabama. The Mississippi All-Star team consists of the best football players from across the state of Mississippi. Similarly, the Alabama All-Star team consists of the best football players from across the state of Alabama. These two teams will face off against each other at the University of Southern Mississippi. One band is chosen from Alabama, and one band is chosen from Mississippi to perform at the game. The Union High School Band was chosen for the first time for the 2019 all-star game. Both bands will perform their halftime show, and many television stations will televise the bands’ performances. This is a tremendous opportunity for the Union High School Band and will allow many people across the two states to hear their show.
On the same day, the Union High School and Union Middle School Cheer Squads are competing at the 2019 MHSAA cheer and dance competition in Jackson. Both squads will compete in game-day competition, which consists of cheers performed at football games. The Middle School Cheer Squad will also compete in a tumbling competition. The judges will also give them a situational cheer in which they will have to cheer for offense or defense depending on the scenario. Both squads will also have to perform different dances, and they have been practicing several hours a week for this competition. They will continue to for several weeks. The Union High School Cheer Squad is directed by Annalyse Shoemaker, and the Middle School Cheer Squad is directed by Marli Maseda. This competition is a tremendous opportunity for both the students and coaches.
December 14 is a huge day for Union High School and Middle School. Many students will be traveling for competitions and a prestigious, televised performance. This not only is a great opportunity for Union students and teachers, but it proves the caliber of students at Union Public Schools. These students will proudly represent our town well (like they always do), and Union residents should show support for these students. Our school is one of the best in the state academically, musically and athletically; the students prove this year after year and will continue to for many years.
