An event that is one of the highlights of the Greenwich High School cheerleading program each year recently took place, as the team held its 15th annual Fashion Show in Stamford – a popular fundraiser in which the varsity cheerleaders take center stage.

The event, which was held on Nov. 6, raised money for the Greenwich High School cheerleading program. All of the cheerleaders on the squad helped run the event, while the team’s seniors modeled fashions from stores in the area such as Mixology, Victoria’s Secret and Love Shack Fancy.

The Cardinals senior cheerleaders displayed the fashions while walking down the runway with some of Greenwich’s varsity football players.

“It’s a really great fundraiser for the program,” Greenwich varsity cheerleading coach Julia Vyskocil said. “This was our 15^th annual Fashion Show and it’s a great day, because we get to honor the seniors. Everyone who came had an admission fee to get in and then there were raffles and a silent auction as well. It’s a really great tradition for the girls and we look forward to it every year.”

Indeed, it was a day in which the seniors on the squad had a chance to shine.

“It’s a very nice event to represent the Greenwich cheerleading and football program,” said Grace Trager, one of Greenwich’s senior cheerleading captains. “Everybody came together as one and we raised a lot of money for the program. The support was so great and it was a great afternoon honoring our seniors and whole program.”

Each year all the cheerleaders assist in making sure the fashion show runs smoothly, but for the seniors, it’s especially special, since they get to wear fashions provided by the local vendors and walk the runway.

“It’s something that I’ve looked forward to since I was a freshman and finally being a senior, it was an incredible experience,” said Lauren Civitello, a senior varsity tri-captain. “Also, to be with the senior football players was great, I’ve been friends with them since I was little, so it was a very fun and unique experience to walk with them. We raised so much money for our program, so I’m so excited for our season to come.”

Said Melina Cardini, a senior varsity cheerleading captain: “It was such a nice experience to be around our football players and raise a bunch of money to help us. It was also an event that I looked forward to for a bunch of years, so I was really excited for it.”

During the fall season, Greenwich’s cheerleaders cheer at football games – the varsity cheerleaders are present at the varsity football team’s home and away games.

The winter season is indeed, busy for Greenwich’s cheerleaders, as they choreograph and practice their routines for the competition season. They will also cheer at the school’s basketball games. The winter competitive cheer season is the part of the school year the Cardinals varsity cheerleaders are especially hoping to make their mark.

Last year saw Greenwich’s varsity squad place second at the CIAC Class LL State Championships, then finish fifth at the Regional Championships in Massachusetts. The team is currently preparing for the rapidly approaching competitive cheer season. The FCIAC Championships takes place on February 5 and the Class LL Championships are scheduled to be held on March 5.

Prior to the FCIAC Championships, Greenwich will participate in several local competitions.

“Last year we came in second in Class LL, which was huge for us,” Vyskocil said. “So, this year we’re ready to keep working hard and do that or even better this year.”

“Last year was amazing, it was one of the best days of my life and the girls’ lives when we placed second in Class LL, they worked so hard for that,” Vyskocil continued. “When they hit their routine, we were so proud of ourselves. Since we came in second, we were able to go to regionals in Massachusetts and we placed fifth.”

Of course, the Cardinals enjoyed the atmosphere that was attached with competing in the ultra-competitive regional event in 2021.

“It was awesome, it was very nerve-wracking, but cool that we were able to compete amongst the best in the region,” Vyskocil said. “Our goals this year are to make it to regionals again and we want to win states this year.”

Vyskocil paid tribute to the squad’s 2022-2023 seniors.

“My seniors are so awesome this year,” she said. “They have such drive and determination to do their best and be at their best for the team. They are such good leaders and they are so dedicated. Our captains have such great energy and they are really great motivators for the team.”