On January 17, 2015, Yorba Linda High School hosted the USA Regional Competition on campus. The United Spirit Federation provides a creative outlet where students develop skills and form friendships. “The USA creates experiences based on inclusion, diversity, teamwork, leadership and unity.” The program incorporates essential leadership skills into learning choreography. In the past, students have become instructors and from there, many earn degrees and pursue careers as industry experts in spirit activities.

The competition went from nine o’clock in the morning to six o’clock in the evening. YLHS hosted the competition in which over fifty schools competed in. The competition was comprised of thirty-two different events. Yorba Linda High School Cheer and Song competed in four of the thirty-two events. The JV cheer team competed in the JV Show Cheer Intermediate, and the varsity cheer team competed in the Varsity Show Cheer Intermediate. The Song team performed in the High School Jazz (Evaluation) and varsity song performed in the Varsity Song/POM Advanced. The JV cheer team went up against Valencia, Edison, Tesoro, Esperanza, and Marina High School and took first place. The varsity cheer team went up against Trabuco Hills, Valencia, Edison, California, and Foothill and took fourth place, beating out two of their major competitors. The varsity song team earned fourth place out of six, competing against El Dorado, Redlands East Valley, Ayala, Santa Margarita, and Esperanza High School. The United Spirit Association offered an opportunity to the song teams for an evaluation. The song team performed their own jazz routine and because it was only an evaluation, the team was not placed for their performance.

Freshman Alexis Wilens said she feels that, “It’s such an amazing feeling to win after working so hard. I am so proud of my team!” Alex Lee (9) stated that, “It is an amazing feeling to know that all of our hard work is paying off. It makes me so proud to see all of the other girls trying their best, and with that, we a rewarded.” Abigail Kim (9) said, “I am extremely proud of my whole team. Our hard work has gotten us all the way to nationals and I am so excited!”