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Hayleigh and friends prepare to perform in the New Years Parade. She earned the right to perform in the parade because she qualified at the Park Hill UCA Camp in the summer.

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High School Cheerleader Travels to London

Senior Hayleigh Albers departed for London, England on December 26. She earned this chance of a lifetime when trying out to be on the All-American Cheer Squad at the Park Hill UCA Camp in the summer. Only 10 percent of each camp is chosen to go. 

Due to snow in Chicago, her trip to London was delayed for two days. While staying in Kansas City, she made friends with other cheerleaders who earned this opportunity.

"I made a lot of friends while in Kansas City," Albers said. "It made the experience all the better since I knew them better."

Finally making it to London, Albers and the rest of her group caught up on the tours they missed. Sites they were taken to see were Big Ben, the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and much more.

The tours and shopping were only half of the reason for going. Albers also participated in the New Year's Parade. Her group danced to Working Day and Night by Michael Jackson.

"The parade was really cold," Albers said. "There were 200 girls walking in a parade wearing nothing but skirts, shirts, headbands and gloves."

Albers arrived back home at 10 p.m. Saturday, January 2.