Media Contact: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195

This weekend, three cheerleading teams from the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will travel to Virginia Beach, VA to represent DPR and the District of Columbia at the US Finals - The Final Destination.  Hosted by the Nations Leading Cheerleading Companies, May 1 to 3, 2009, the US Finals - Final Destination will draw over 500 teams to the multi-day competition.

The three DPR cheerleading teams competing this weekend are the DC Scorpions, an age 14 and under team from the Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center; and from the Harry Thomas, Sr. Community Center, two Cougars teams, ages 10 and under, and ages 14 and under.  Together, the three teams comprise nearly 60 young female athletes, who earned their bids to compete this weekend at the US Finals - The Final Destination based upon their top level performances during recent regional qualifying competitions. 

Most recently, the Cougars 8 and under team earned National Champions honors, and the 14 and under team placed second at the Cheerleaders of America Cheer and Dance Competition in Orlando, FL.   The DC Scorpions earned first place and was named the Grand Champions at the Spirit Unlimited Warm – Up competition at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD; and in January 2009, the DC Scorpions won the DC area "FIRED UP" National Cheerleading Challenge.

DPR's Cheer and Pom-Pom program currently has 27 teams and over 300 athletes, ages 6 to 18 years old, participating across the District; for more information call DPR Athletic Programs at (202) 671-1700.