TVCC Archives

Why is TVCC So Amazing?

Posted on July 18, 2023July 26, 2023 by Steve Pawlyk

TVCC_cheer_team_in_action_at_NCA_championship

18
Jul

By Steve Pawlyk

Published July 18, 2023

In the realm of cheerleading, an arena characterized by its intense energy, discipline, and passion, some institutions have carved a niche for themselves. Among them, the Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) cheer program stands tall. With a legacy of numerous National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) championships and an integral feature in the second season of Netflix’s ‘CHEER!’, the TVCC cheer program shines brighter than most. This article delves into the reasons that set TVCC apart, shaping it into a titan of collegiate cheerleading.

Storied Legacy and Celebrated Rivalry

The legacy of TVCC cheer is a tapestry of hard-won victories, relentless training, and an insatiable drive to excel. This program has consistently outshone other colleges with its unrelenting streak of NCA championships, positioning itself firmly in the cheerleading hall of fame. A significant portion of this illustrious history intertwines with the rise of its celebrated rival, Navarro College.

Navarro and TVCC have come to personify the zenith of junior college cheerleading, an exceptional feat considering the multitude of cheer programs nationwide. TVCC was the original powerhouse with its dominant victories in 1989, ’90, ’91, and ’93. When Monica Aldama took the helm of Navarro’s cheer team in 1995, the stage was set for a rivalry that would not only push the boundaries of the sport but also captivate audiences worldwide. The intense competition between the two, documented in Netflix’s ‘CHEER!’, has thrust both programs into the global spotlight, becoming the essence of collegiate cheerleading’s biggest battle.

TVCC_and_Navarro_College_rivalry_at_cheer_competition-ipp

High-Intensity Training and Exceptional Coaching

Key to the continuous success of the TVCC cheer program is its commitment to rigorous training regimens under the guidance of an experienced and devoted coaching staff. These coaches, including the dynamic Vontae Johnson who joined in 2017, leverage their vast industry experience to deliver innovative techniques, instill advanced safety precautions, and foster mental toughness in their athletes. This approach has led to the creation of teams that are not just athletically excellent but also capable of maintaining composure under high-pressure situations.

TVCC_cheerleaders_featured_in_Netflix_CHEER_show

Emphasis on Academic Excellence

While many cheer programs focus primarily on physical aptitude, TVCC cheer takes a more comprehensive approach. The program underscores the importance of strong academic performance alongside athletic prowess, promoting a balanced approach to success. This encourages athletes to excel not just on the cheer mat but also in the classroom, nurturing well-rounded individuals prepared to face any challenge.

Unwavering Community Support

TVCC’s cheer program flourishes with the backing of a community that truly supports and celebrates its athletes. From ardent fans to dedicated alumni, the TVCC community offers an unwavering support system that boosts team morale, motivation, and ultimately, performance.

Superior Facilities

TVCC is home to state-of-the-art cheer facilities that aid in honing the skills of its athletes. With top-notch equipment and amenities, the program provides a safe and effective training environment, reflecting its commitment to its athletes’ success.

Strong Emphasis on Teamwork

One of TVCC cheer’s unique aspects is its emphasis on teamwork and camaraderie. Beyond individual brilliance, the program nurtures a sense of unity among the cheer squad, resulting in performances where each routine is an impeccably coordinated spectacle.

All-Round Development

TVCC cheer’s commitment extends beyond the athletic realm, offering opportunities for comprehensive growth of its athletes. The program aids in developing leadership skills, work ethics, and emotional intelligence, ensuring that TVCC cheerleaders succeed not only on the cheer stage but also in their personal and professional lives.

The ‘CHEER!’ Spotlight

The TVCC cheer program’s excellence was brought to international attention through its feature in the second season of Netflix’s ‘CHEER!’. This worldwide exposure not only solidified TVCC’s position in the global cheerleading landscape but also offered an insightful behind-the-scenes look into the dedication and hard work that drives its success.

In essence, the TVCC cheer program sets the standard in cheerleading through its rich legacy, high-quality coaching, holistic approach to success, strong community backing, superior facilities, focus on teamwork, and commitment to comprehensive development. Its spotlight in Netflix’s ‘CHEER!’ and the riveting rivalry with Navarro College have only served to further enhance its reputation as a leading cheer program, setting the stage for exciting developments in the future.

Coach_Vontae_Johnson_guiding_TVCC_cheer_squad-ipp

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Featured, Netflix CHEER

Daytona Part 2: If the Judges Disagree – Netflix CHEER! Episode 9 Recap

Posted on March 22, 2022May 13, 2022 by IPP Music

22
Mar

By Annemarie Arthurs

Published March 22, 2022

Coach Vontae starts off by going over scores for day one. As the team reviews their performance, they see exactly what they need to do. Their routine has the potential to score a 99.9. Their day one score, with the deductions, came to a 96.02. These scores are telling Trinity that the judges want it to be them, and they are ready to give them a reason.

Coach Monica is going over scores with Kailee. Their overall score with no deductions came to a 98.33. Monica knows the judges score more conservatively day one, and if you do well on day two, the scores typically go up. It is a very subjective sport, and she is prepared to work hard and review some sections.

Here we go. Day two.

Warmups have started and it’s time for both teams to get all their jitters out. As they head to the bandshell, Navarro and Trinity know exactly what they need to do.

Trinity is up first! With a team chant backstage to get them excited, they are ready to take the floor!

From the mouth of Coach Vontae:

Standing fulls, hit. Stunts, hit. Dees running pass, HIT! OOOO I have goosebumps! Baskets, hit. Time for the pyramid….HIT! With the energy they brought to the routine and dance, it’s a HIT! LET’S GO!

Navarro knows they need to hit the best routine possible! The nerves are getting the best of them, but they need to not worry about the awards and show the judges everything they have worked so hard for.

WE CAN. WE WILL. WE MUST.

Toe fulls, hit. Standing tumbling, hit. Sadly, there’s a stunt fall during stunt section. Running tumbling and pyramid HIT!

After their performance, Gill is extremely upset about her stunt fall. They are trying to stay positive and reminding themselves that they were in a good spot after day one.

Awards have finally arrived, and due to covid they did not take place live on the bandshell. Trinity is watching them from their hotel room, and Navarro is watching from a ballroom. Monica knows they got a .75 deduction and is trying to calculate what they could have got versus TVCC.

Here is the moment we have all been waiting for, your 2021 NCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS WITH A 98.2292…….TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE! It’s time to celebrate and run to that beach!!!

Featured, Netflix CHEER

“Daytona Pt. 1 – Don’t be that Guy” – Netflix CHEER! Season 2 Episode 8 Recap

Posted on February 22, 2022February 22, 2022 by Annemarie Arthurs

22
Feb

By Annemarie Arthurs

Published February 22, 2022

Navarro is hard at work throwing multiple full outs on their “bandshell” while TVCC is working on choreography runs and fixing every single motion and transition in their routine. Coaches are definitely starting to feel the pressure! The athletes are packing up, getting their itineraries, and ready to head to Daytona! At this point in the season, both coaches cannot do anything else for them. It is all on the athletes now! Navarro has boarded their flight, TVCC has boarded their bus, and both teams are off!

It’s been two years since Daytona Nationals has occurred due to the pandemic and majority of both teams has never experienced this! Practices by the beach have started for TVCC and Navarro and they are READY! They are outside checking the sun, seeing what it’s going to be like at the exact time they are scheduled to compete, looking to see where the judges are sitting and doing the walk from warmups to the floor!

Day one is about to begin, and all the athletes are getting ready! Prelims is 25% of their score and finals is 75%. Day one is always filled with lots of nerves, but Monica knows once that’s under their belt, they will be good! Trinity and Navarro have headed to warmups and are patiently waiting out back to perform.

Navarro is up first! Toe full, hit. Standing tumbling, hit. Stunts, hit. Baskets, hit. Running tumbling, hit. Pyramid, hit. Most importantly, the dance, THEY BROUGHT IT. What more could you ask for on day one?!

Now Trinity. Dee got his sleeves up and everything! Standing fulls, hit. Jumps, hit. Stunts, hit. Baskets, hit. Unfortunately, one tumble bust and a pyramid fall, as defeated as they look and feel, they know that day one does not define them and tomorrow can change everything.

Featured, Netflix CHEER

Mining for Tenths – Netflix CHEER! Season 2 Episode 7 Recap

Posted on February 17, 2022February 18, 2022 by Annemarie Arthurs

17
Feb

By Annemarie Arthurs

Published February 17, 2022

He lives with his college friend and old teammate along with his wife and their child! They are very supportive of Khris and welcomed him into their home as family. While everyone has a 3, 4, 5-year plan of meeting someone and starting a family…. Khris said his plan is Daytona.

Navarro is hard at work trying to hit as many clean and strong full outs as possible. Monica seems very frustrated because she feels the team keeps giving up. They have been practicing outside to try to get the feel of Daytona and be ready for wind, sun, and heat.

Maddy said “when you cheer every single day, you’re not going to have a good day every day, and when I go out and make a mistake I’m so hard on myself, like I hate myself for it, because I feel like I didn’t just let myself down, I let my entire team down, you never want to be the person to say I messed up on the bandshell, you’re goal is to always be great”.

This year’s Navarro routine is very dynamic and very in your face. The team feels that they are not fully there yet and not showing the routines full potential. There is a lot of tension and a lack of confidence because they don’t feel as close as a team as they did before. Every athlete is here for the same reason, and they need to come together as a family because when you cheer for Navarro, nobody competes to lose.

Coach Monica has finally received the stage she ordered so they can practice on it to get a similar feel to what Daytona is on the bandshell!

TVCC is focusing very hard on how to get the maximum score. Coach Franklin is being very particular in everything they have in their routine because he knows it can come down to a tenth of a point at Daytona. One of the main problems they are having is just overall performance. Dee is struggling with just smiling. Coach Vontae needs to test him and see how he is going to respond so he had an alternate learn his part because if Dee continues to not perform, he will not compete.

Coach Vontae brought in a guest choreographer, Brandon Hale. He is here to change some things up and bring a different vibe to the routine and their dance.

With Navarro slowly getting back on the same page, they are getting their uniforms, doing the iconic “poof” and preparing as much as possible for Daytona. This program makes them feel a part of something bigger than them. They are practicing on their own “bandshell” and making sure they are ready, mentally, and physically. They know their bodies need to be ready for whatever Daytona throws at them.

Featured, Netflix CHEER, News

JERRY. (Netflix CHEER! Season 2 Episode 5 recap)

Posted on February 9, 2022February 9, 2022 by Annemarie Arthurs

09
Feb

By Annemarie Arthurs

Published February 9, 2022

Before we dive into what we all don’t want to discuss, let’s discuss how the season just abruptly ended…

Covid ended their current season and Daytona got cancelled. These athletes at Navarro and TVCC that wanted to win so badly, got it all ripped away from them.

Fast forward a few months. The team is back at practice under many regulations. Getting tested daily is one of those. Luckily Gabby, Maddy and Ladarius were able to return due to the covid rules of allowing athletes that lost a season, gain an extra one! Unfortunately, Monica is not with them first semester. She took the opportunity to join “Dancing with the Stars”. Monica has always been a huge fan of the show and she knew the team would support her in this decision. A lot of the rookies were upset because they came to Navarro to cheer for Monica, and now she’s not there.

This is when we are introduced to Kailee Peppers. She was a Navarro cheerleader and is now the new assistant coach. Kailee took the job and was unaware Monica was leaving, so now there is a lot of pressure on her to fill Monica’s shoes as a “head coach”. The team has been pretty accepting of Kailee and understands she’s dealing with a lot, except for Ladarius. He was very vocal in the fact that she is not able to do what Monica does and doesn’t have the ability to coach Navarro.

Moving into September of 2020. The fan favorite reality star, twenty-one-year-old, Jerry Harris has been accused of soliciting explicit photos and sex from minors. The allegations stem from two 14-year-old athletes who expressed it took place in person and online. The team was devasted, they broke down, and could not accept what their teammate had done.

Netflix interviewed the two boys and their mother. They seemed calm and stated exactly what happened. Cheerleading was their safe space; they could be themselves there and now that has all changed. Charlie stated that it all started in 2018 when Jerry messaged him asking him for photos. Charlie knew of Jerry from the cheerleading world. He wanted to be on the team Jerry was on and he said he was “starstruck and didn’t want him to not like him or not be friends with him” and because of that he was willing to send him what Jerry asked for. They met for the first time in 2019 at ACA Nationals. He said he felt uncomfortable, ashamed, and embarrassed about talking to him. During warmups on Day one, Jerry kept harassing him to see him. He asked him to meet him in the bathroom. Once they were alone in the bathroom, Jerry cornered him in the bathroom stall, begging him to have sex with him. Charlie did not feel comfortable with it and got himself out of the situation.

His brother noticed that he was extremely frantic and stressed when he came out of the bathroom and got back to warmups. He has been wanting to say something about it, but he felt ashamed and scared and knew that if he reported it, he would lose his cheer friends because of how loved Jerry was in the cheer community.

Charlie’s mother reported the incident to USASF twice. They felt nothing was happening. Which is why they decided to file a report with the FBI. Jerry was eventually arrested for child pornography charges. He admitted to being involved with ten to fifteen minors. The judge decided that he would remain incarcerated during trial and that is where he remains.

Social media was very hard on Monica and the team for how they responded. They were grieving the “loss” and arrest of their teammate, but all understand that Jerry is in the wrong.

Featured, Netflix CHEER

HELL WEEK – Netflix CHEER! (Season 2 Episode 4)

Posted on February 7, 2022February 7, 2022 by Annemarie Arthurs

07
Feb

By Annemarie Arthurs

Published February 7, 2022

Starting off we find out some unfortunate news. Coach Kapena came to sit in and watch a practice and had a conversation with Maddy. Sadly, Kapena left the program. During first semester there was a homecoming party at his house that involved alcohol and he allowed current athletes to attend. He has since taken a step back and dealing with the consequences. Monica made it very clear that if you want to have a coaching role, you do have to set higher standards for yourself and if you don’t uphold them, why have them.

Monica made the decision to go back to white unforms and everyone is STRESSED! They claim whenever they wear white they lose, and they are superstitious!

TVCC is hard at work, creating innovative pyramids and routines and reflecting on how badly they want to win. With Coach Vontae more eager than ever, he knows the pressure is on. Vontae knew what he was getting into, he lives for this stuff. With lots of full outs going, they are seeing a lot of stunt falls and mistakes happening. Frustration is taking over Coach Vontae and sits them down. He said, “If I yell at you, understand that I love you”. Vontae is still struggling with when he competed for TVCC and dropped a stunt causing them to lose. He doesn’t want anyone on his team to ever have the same feeling he did.

26 days until Daytona and Navarro is hard at practice. Monica is adamant that side conversations stop, and they focus. With stress on pyramid work, Monica and Ladarius are getting very frustrated with each other. Ladarius feels that Monica is always blaming him and not the rest of the group. Do we agree or no? Ladarius understands that Monica will expect more of you, the more she cares about you, but they seem to be clashing!

Monica’s goal is 51 full out by end of year and they are hard at work to achieve that! During Hell Week, they practice twice a day for the full week. Both routines are flashier and two of the hardest routines both programs have had in a long time. They try to do more reps to condition their bodies for when they perform.

As the music says,

Let’s go out with a bang!

Featured, Netflix CHEER

Netflix Cheer! Season 2 – Episode 3 Recap – Dracut Girl

Posted on February 1, 2022February 1, 2022 by Annemarie Arthurs

01
Feb

By Annemarie Arthurs

Published February 1, 2022

I cheered at East Celebrity Elite, I coached a high school team that went to the same competitions as Dracut High School so I’ve been in the presence of greatness when it comes to Maddy Brum! I can’t lie when I say I teared up a little when the cameras where inside ECE and I saw my coaches there! Living in South Carolina now…it made me feel less home sick with ECE on my TV screen!

Let’s dive into Miss Maddy!

Maddy came down to Texas with her mom and sister to sign, meet the team, and meet Monica! Emotions ran high while her mom talked about her leaving MA and coming to a junior college so far away from home.

Back at TVCC, they are working hard to start going full out. Choreography is flashier, pyramid has higher difficulty with skills they have never done before, tumbling is more intense and overall, the routine is more fast paced. They are struggling a little with stamina and hitting a solid full out. Their goal is to score the highest they ever have, and they are pushing themselves more than they ever have. Nobody likes to condition but they know they must in order to get through the entire routine.

Ladarius got frustrated with Maddy and voiced his frustrations to Monica, but she is hoping that Maddy will get stronger and have less stunt falls. Monica is going to put in the safest routine and if it doesn’t hit, she will pull it. Maddy is very determined to make herself known and to be the best she can be.

We also got introduced to Maddy’s dad. He wants her to be successful, help her future, and be there for her. He cannot leave the state of Massachusetts due to personal reasons, but he wants her to have the world. He had been arrested in the past, but he has set up agents, car arrangements, and even wants her to have her own clothing line. Maddy feels her dad has a lot to make up for but at the end of the day she’s trying to understand where he is coming from.

Now we go to East Celebrity Elite! Back in MA she is hosting flyer classes! We get to meet two of the gym owners, Linda and Cassie, they had nothing but good things to say about Maddy. They knew she had the potential and they saw that she was a star athlete in the making from the day she walked in. She was struggling at home and did not have a lot of direction, but she knew at the end of the day she was going to ECE and that at 6:00 she had cheerleading practice.

“She found something she loved, she decided that she was going to be the absolute best at it that she could be, and she set goals, and she’s by far the most decorated athlete we have at this gym, and deservingly so”

– Cassie Bienvenue

Maddy still has a lot to learn at Navarro. She mentioned she was more used to an all-girl group with 3 girls lifting her rather than one guy. She has been struggling to stay in the air with her stunt partner and getting frustrated with herself. Monica mentioned she wants to reevaluate Maddy flying center stun, and it ultimately came down to Monica pulling her from the air. While Maddy was extremely upset, she ended up coming to a mutual agreement with Monica that this is what’s best for her and the team.

Events, Featured, News, Results

Netflix CHEER Season 2: Episode 1

Posted on January 20, 2022January 20, 2022 by Annemarie Arthurs

20
Jan

By Annemarie Arthurs

Published January 20, 2022

It’s like we never left Daytona!

Netflix really said, “Let’s start 2022 off with a bang” and released season 2 at the perfect time! Recapping last season definitely pulled at my heart strings! After following this program, it’s exciting to see all the interviews, events, and signings they went through after season 1 aired.

Starting off with episode one of Netflix’s series CHEER, we were made aware of some mature and adult things we would learn more about, but we also got a sneak peak of some exciting things! Number one, being introduced more to TVCC!!

For Coach Monica & Coach Vontae, the competition seems to be more intense than ever!

Navarro’s newest rookies are amazing and as Monica said, “the talent is ridiculous”. Watching Maddy, Gill, Cassadee and Payton…..their technique and skill is unbeatable. 40 are on the team….and 20 will make mat! Ladarius said “do better” if you want to make mat!

Navarro’s newest rookies are amazing and as Monica said, “the talent is ridiculous”. Watching Maddy, Gill, Cassadee and Payton…..their technique and skill is unbeatable. 40 are on the team….and 20 will make mat! Ladarius said “do better” if you want to make mat!

A lot of these athletes are extremely anxious with the upcoming mat tryouts. The coaches need to make decisions that are best for the team and there’s no guarantee that people who have made mat before, will make mat again. Maddy made a very good point when she said “cheerleading, it’s all a mind game, if you don’t believe that you’re going to be the best, then you’re not going to be the best”

Back at TVCC. Their team is still feeling angry and defeated about their last performance at Daytona. Their main complaint…. they went once, and Navarro got to go twice. Their teammate Jada will always be out there making sure she is proving everyone wrong! She is the strongest female tumbler and flyer on the team and she’s ready to lead TVCC to victory at Daytona!

The coaching style differences between Monica and Vontae are crazy but they both work!! The athletes they coach know exactly what to expect.

What works for Navarro works and what works for TVCC also works! Tough love is Coach Vontaes approach whereas Coach Monica is the opposite.

So, with episode one coming to an end…lets end this like TVCC ends practice!

“Here’s to you, here’s to me, national champs, where soon to be, and if the judges’ disagree, f*** them, here’s to we”

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Storied Legacy and Celebrated Rivalry

High-Intensity Training and Exceptional Coaching

Emphasis on Academic Excellence

Unwavering Community Support

Superior Facilities

Strong Emphasis on Teamwork

All-Round Development

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Let’s dive into Miss Maddy!