Every year, cheer coaches around the nation select outstanding seniors to apply for the prestigious National Cheer Association (NCA) senior scholarship. At Marcus High School, three talented cheerleaders — Rhianna Rees, Zoey Rasdall, and Zoraya Hyer — have advanced to the top 25 finalists, a remarkable achievement in a competition that began with over 200 applicants nationwide.
No other school has more than one scholarship finalist this year.
“The scholarship was offered to us by our coach, just something for us to fill out,” Rees said. “They had over 200 applicants.”
To make it this far, the girls had to complete a rigorous application process. This included filling out questionnaires, writing essays, and highlighting their extracurricular activities. Rees explained how much weight is placed on being active in the community and demonstrating leadership qualities.
“You have to have a lot of [extracurriculars], and they wanna see leadership positions, and that you’re really involved in your school,” Rees said.
Although the final prize for the scholarship winner hasn’t been revealed, the girls remain excited about the journey and their progress so far. Being recognized as one of the top 25 is already a significant achievement.
“There’s perks along the way,” Rasdall said. “Even if you don’t want [the prize], it’s just an honor to be included, even though I’m not sure how much the final money is.”
The NCA scholarship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these seniors, but sadly not all three of them can win.
“We’re at the last 25,” Hyer said. “We have to get down to one person for a scholarship.”
As the competition progresses, the girls will face additional steps, including interviews and potentially more essays, to advance further in the selection process. The final winner will be announced on stage at the National Cheerleading Association competition, a moment eagerly anticipated by all finalists.
Regardless of the outcome, the experience has been a rewarding one for Rees, Rasdall, and Hyer. Representing Marcus High School at this level is an accomplishment they’re proud of, and the lessons learned along the way will stick with them long after the competition ends.
“It’s not just about the prize,” Rasdall said. “It’s an honor to be part of something so special, and it’s amazing to make it this far.”
