Sunday, April 19, 2026

12 April 2026 Sanford: Off to Daytona for a Cheer Competition

 


Daytona was the location of the cheer competition that Raylene was competing in.  It was only 45 minutes away but we thought it would have been further away.  We left with what we thought would  give up lots of time to get there before the 2:50 scheduled performance.  Our planning worked out fine as we got there just after 2.  We had to pick up the tickets and we were in the venue by 2:15.  It was a sensory overload in the center.  There was a loud booming from the cheer teams that were on stage, the cheer teams waiting for their time slot were all milling about sitting, standing, walking, stretching and such.  One team "Top Gun" had huge, ratty, poofed up wigs attached to oversized bows perched high on their heads.  See the above picture to understand how absolutely goofy this look was.   Ryan had gone out to get some lunch and we met him upon his return around 2:30.  We were getting the lay of the land and popped into the performance space only to find out that Raylene was on the stage with her crew already performing.   Yikes, we almost missed it!  Three minutes later it was all over and we met Raylene outside.  She was hanging with her team mates looking at the videos of the performance together. They ended up in first place for their category with a nod to the great gymnastic elements.  Who was doing the majority of the gymnastics?  Raylene of course! 


Lambo on the highway


Daytona Speedway


Speedway boulevard


Merch for sale


The hall was huge.  I picked a moment where there were very few participants ion the shot


The Ambition Tam in on the stage


Preparing the base


Lifting


We have pyramids


Point your toes


Bridging the towes


Combining all the towers into one


Action shots


Spreading back out


Very dynamic


Finished


Now the littlest crew comes out


All excitement


Smiles


Participants


Observers


Decorative elements



 It has been 3 years and 307 days since we began our Migration