Madill cheerleader Neese to perform in Thanksgiving Day Parade at Walt Disney Resort

Elissa Neese from Madill High School in is one of more than 500 elementary, junior high and high school cheerleaders and dancers from across the country that will represent Varsity Spirit Nov. 28 in the 2019 Thanksgiving Tour at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The individuals invited to perform in the parade are part of a select group of cheerleaders and dancers chosen as All-Americans during Varsity Spirit summer camps across the country. All-Americans are selected via tryout based on either superior cheerleading or dance skills at camps operated by Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), Universal Dance Association (UDA), National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), or National Dance Alliance (NDA). Only the top 10% of the cheerleaders and dancers from Varsity Spirit camps earn the chance to march in a holiday parade of this caliber.

Neese will perform with the Varsity Spirit All-Americans in a one-of-a-kind pre-parade performance through Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park on Thanksgiving Day. Besides enjoying a sunny trip to Orlando, All-Americans will have the opportunity to meet cheerleaders and dancers from across the nation and enjoy a magical holiday season at Walt Disney World® Resort parks.

Neese said she is looking forward to her trip to Orlando.

“I am most looking forward to having fun with my fellow All Americans and family and it is an honor to be named All American for 3 years in a roll and especially excited to get to go on this trip to Disney this year,” she said.

The Varsity All-American program is celebrating more than 30 years of choosing camp standouts. For more information, visit www.varsity.com or contact Ian Betti at

(800) 238-0286 or ibetti@varsity.com.

About Varsity Spirit

Memphis-based Varsity Spirit has been a driving force behind cheerleading’s dynamic transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, and the leading global source for all things cheerleading and dance. A division of Varsity Brands, Varsity Spirit is a leader in uniform innovation and educational camps, clinics and competitions, impacting nearly a million athletes each year. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000 employees have been helping raise cheerleading’s influence and profile since 1974. For more information about Varsity Spirit or Varsity Brands, please visit www.varsity.com or www.varsitybrands.com.