PCHS Bulletin – Aliza Vitoritt
Date Published – March 11, 2026
The PCHS cheer team and the blue belles dance teams have each wrapped up their respective competitive seasons with performances at national competitions.
Each team started the year with their sideline performances at football games and prep rallies before transitioning to the competitive season to showcase their skills.
The cheer team competes through the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) in addition to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).
For the first time in school history, the competitive cheer team qualified for UCA Nationals. Nationals were held January 6-8 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The team took 17th place. In addition to competing, the team was excited to go to Disney as a reward for all their hard work throughout the year.
Senior Alyse Renda said, “UCA Nationals in itself was the best experience for our team. In [my] four years on this team... going on this trip was the best team bonding we have had.”
The team also qualified for the FHSAA Class 1A state competition. This came from their overall score and third place finish at regionals.
Renda said the team has seen a lot of improvement this year. “We had a couple of injuries and setbacks leading up to states, but the commitment our teammates put in is what mattered.”
Renda credited the teams’ success to support. “Our biggest strength was support from each other, our coaches, and our parents. Having teammates ready to step in when others are injured or can’t make it makes a world of difference. We had so many girls excited to be on the mat and a part of this team.”
The Blue Belles dance team competes through the Universal Dance Association (UDA) and the National Dance Association (NDA). They also qualified for nationals. They have qualified before, but this year is the first time they've attended. They competed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on February 7.
The followed a similar story to cheer, facing illness and injuries going into their final competitions. But they persevered with stellar performances.
The team took 13th place in Hip Hop and 14th place in Pom. Head Coach Natalie Moore said in an Instagram post that the team was 0.3 points away from advancing in the Pom division and the Hip Hop routine was 0.5 points away from breaking into the Top 10.
Prior to nationals, Blue Belles competed in both NDA and UDA Regional competitions. They took 2nd and 3rd at NDA and 3rd and 4th at UDA.
Junior Chole Weinkein was proud of her team for making it to nationals. “Going to nationals is not only a personal goal for myself,” Weinkein said, “but also a team goal.”
Now that their seasons are over, both are starting the tryout process for next year.
Cheer is holding tryouts in the PCHS Gym March 11-12 at 5pm and March 13 at 3:30pm.
Senior Rylee Vitoritt, another four-year member on the cheer team, encourages people to join cheer. “People should join cheer because it’s a good sport to get involved in and your team turns into family,” she states. “You can make so many friends from the team and do a lot of fun things!”
Blue Belles are in the process of tryouts. The dates are March 9 from 5-7pm, March 10 from 5-6:30pm, and March 11 from 5:45-7pm.
Sophomore Tabatha Moss shared her experience with the dance team. “The dance team is an experience where you get to build your community with so many girls to where they’re like sisters,” said Moss. “It's fun to share one common interest you love with someone.”
Students interested in trying out for either team must complete the application packet and pay any fees.
For more information, students should contact the team coaches:
Cheer Head Coach Bailee French frenchb@manateeschools.net
Blue Belles Head Coach Natalie Moore pchsbluebellesdance@gmail.com