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CHEERING AT CITRUS BOWL
EU High cheer earned trip via superior ranking
EU cheer
Twelve members of the East Union cheer program were among the over 500 performing at halftime of the Citrus Bowl game.

Members of the East Union High Cheer program spent part of their winter break in Florida.

They were among over 500 cheerleaders performing at halftime of the 2025 Citrus Bowl in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.

“We spent seven days exploring Florida and practicing for the big performance,” said local cheer coach Michele Snaer Fay.

All told, 12 of the East Union cheerleaders – ninth through 12th graders – took part in the halftime routine in the NCAA college football game involving No. 14 South Carolina taking on No. 21 Illinois.

The Fighting Illini led by running back Josh McCray defeated the SC Gamecocks, 21-17.

 The EU cheerleaders were invited to perform at the game after taking first place while being ranked Superior during the summer cheer camp held at the Manteca Great Wolf Lodge. They also spent three days at Universal Parks and two days at the Disney parks, Fay noted.

“Our girls performed great at the game, we bonded as a team, made great memories,” she added. “I am proud of how the girls represented East Union High and the Manteca Unified School District.”