Recently, the CHS Cheerleaders attended the National Cheerleading Association's camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., and came home with 19 awards. They received fifteen (15) team awards and four (4) individual awards to include thirteen (13) All Americans, the Top All American, two (2) NCA Staff Invitations and the NCA Leadership Award. Additionally Coach Stell received the NCA Herkie Coaching Award.
Out of twenty-nine CHS Cheerleaders who attended camp, (14 Varsity and 15 JV), twenty-two (22) were nominated for All American. The All American Nomination is given to girls who have superior skills in one of five categories ( jumps, motions, dance, stunting and leadership). After the girls tried out for the All American Team, thirteen (13) made the team. Cheerleading, like football, is a team sport. In football, a quarterback is needed to throw the ball (unless it's a halfback pass), but a wide receiver or running back is needed to make the play. In cheerleading, girls may stand out individually, but everyone is needed to put up a stunt and bring it down. Spectators never see just one cheerleader on the sidelines, just like they never see one defensive tackle on the line.
The Herkie Award was given to the school for exemplifying the qualities of leadership, values, teamwork and sportsmanship which are an integral part of cheerleading and are the ideals on which NCA was founded. Coach Stell won the Herkie Coaching Award which is given to the Coach who displays the qualities of leadership, values, teamwork and sportsmanship, but also impresses upon cheerleaders the understanding that team unity and learning are the most important aspects of cheerleading.
*1. Varsity-Top Team Game Day
2. Varsity-Champion Chant
3. Varsity-Spirit Stick (all 3 days)
4. Varsity-2 Technical Excellence for motions
5. Varsity-SPOT Award for Stunting
6. Varsity-Superior Ribbons
*7. Varsity-Captain Leadership Award (Cristina Leos)
*8. Varsity-8 All Americans (Kristen Barrow, Cristina Leos, Amanda Mitchell, Kelly Kay Moore, Jessica Mora, Melissa Munoz, Erin Reiter, Mary Rivera)
*9. Varsity-2 NCA Staff Invitations (Cristina Leos, Mary Rivera)
*10. Varsity-Top All American (Melissa Munoz)
11. Varsity-Received bid to Nationals
*12. JV-Top Team Performance
13. JV-Spirit Stick (all 3 days)
14. JV-Technical Excellence for motions
15. JV-Superior Ribbons
*16. JV-5 All Americans (Eliana Gomez, Lexi Johnson, Karly Porras, Ashley Rook, Kelsey Shinaut)
17. JV-Received bid to Nationals
*18. Herkie Award to CHS Cheer (named for L.R. Herkimer, founder of NCA in 1948)
*19. Herkie Coaching Award (Stell)















Marie Munoz
August 15, 2008
Coach Stell and the CHS Cheerleaders continue to shine in the eyes of El Paso. We are all very proud of you. Your hard work and dedication is shown in the many awards you ladies brought home. Keep up the good work.
Shelly Voth
August 15, 2008
Coronado cheerleaders are truly a class act. These girls are such amazing athletes and they work so hard to perfect the sport of cheerleading, and we are lucky to be coached by the best of the best. Thanks Coach Stell!!!!!!!. You do so much for our girls, we love you. Way to go T-Birds - CHS Rocks. The Pride of the Westside.