Varsity Salutes Community Service Leaders on National School Spirit Day

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today kicks off the 5^th annual National School Spirit Day, a day that was created to recognize the great efforts of cheerleaders on behalf of their schools and communities. Cheer teams nationwide are encouraged to plan a pep rally at their schools and announce their community service projects. They will spend two weeks completing their projects, and be entered in a nationwide contest sponsored by Varsity. 

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Cheerleaders and dancers work tirelessly to support their athletic programs throughout the entire year, and National School Spirit Day was created in 2009 by Varsity as a way to recognize the impact that cheerleaders and dancers have in their communities. Teams across the country will be kicking off community service projects in their neighborhoods and schools. By leading service projects and engaging fellow student to do the same, cheerleaders demonstrate their leadership and dedication to helping others. 

"Cheerleaders deserve recognition for all of the causes they support all year long," says Nicole Lauchaire, Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Varsity, whose camp organizations have been promoting the service initiative throughout the summer.  "We already know that cheerleaders are generous in volunteering their time to help others, and this official day of service gives everyone a chance to appreciate their efforts as well."

Varsity has promoted this event at their camps, which are attended by more than 325,000 cheerleaders each summer. Cheerleaders and dancers were encouraged to mobilize their entire student body to participate in their service project.

Participants in National School Spirit Day can visit the website www.nationalschoolspiritday.org to log their hours, describe their contribution and enter to win one of two Spirit Prize packs.  Teams and individuals who work on their own will be entered to win a practice mat from Ross Athletic and a gift pack from Varsity Spirit Fashion.

Teams that involve their entire school will be entered to win a $1,000 School Spirit Scholarship for the school principal to award to a student demonstrating outstanding school spirit, along with a Digital Camera for the Yearbook Staff from Herff Jones. Lunch for the winning school will be provided by Hard Rock Cafe. If you need additional information, please contact Sheila Noone, [email protected] or 901-251-5959.

About Varsity
Varsity is the source for all things related to cheerleading and dance team.  With a rich heritage and traditions dating back to 1974, Varsity is an innovative global leader comprised of the leading spirit brands and organizations including its educational camps, clinics, competitions and uniforms to teams around the world. Varsity's National Championships, many of which are held at the Walt Disney World® Resorts, have been televised on ESPN Networks for more than 25 years.  Sponsors for Varsity events include Gatorade, Playtex Sport, Softlips, Oxy, PBTeen, and Herff Jones. Web-based Varsity TV features thousands of cheerleading and dance team videos and has become a favorite cheer destination for cheerleaders and coaches alike.  Varsity has led the way in cheerleading safety as a supporter of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators since 1987 and as a camp leader training more than 325,000 cheerleaders per year in cheerleading fundamentals with an emphasis on safety. In 2012, Varsity purchased American Cheerleader Magazine, which has showcased the cheerleading community since 1995. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Varsity employs 5,000 employees nationwide.  For more information about Varsity, please visit http://www.varsity.com.

SOURCE Varsity