Jonesboro senior to perform at the 81st Pearl Harbor Memorial

Emma-Cookie Rodriguez, a senior at Jonesboro High School, has made school history and will perform at the 81st Pearl Harbor Memorial on Dec. 7.

Voted UCA All American Cheerleader, Rodriguez will represent Varsity Spirit, the global leader in cheerleading, dance, band, camps and competitions and a division of varsity brands.

Cheerleaders and dancers who are invited to perform in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade are part of a select group of All-Americans identified at the Varsity Spirit Summer Camps across the USA. Only the top 12% of the cheerleaders and dancers from Varsity Spirit Camps across USA will earn a spot to participate in a performance of this caliber. UCA All-American means cheerleaders demonstrated the appropriate skills of cheerleading with enthusiasm, sharp motions, dance, cheer, facial expression and jumps. It is also based on superior cheerleading and leadership skills at the camp operated by Universal Cheerleaders Association, Universal Dance Association, National Cheerleaders Association, National Dance Alliance, United Spirit Association or Urban Cheerleading Experience.

Rodriguez will perform with Varsity Spirit All-Americans in this exclusive performance prior to the opening ceremony of the Pearl Harbor Parade before thousands of fans on Waikiki Beach. This parade will mark the 81st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The theme this year is "Remembering the Past and Celebrating Our Future.” The parade will be broadcast live on Dec. 7.

Rodriguez is the only one from Jonesboro to be selected and only the second from Coryell County. She is the daughter of Cecilia Rodriguez and the granddaughter of Richard and Patricia Rodriguez. Emma gives credit not only to her mother but to her cheer coach, Kayla Sellers, for teaching her dedication, discipline and determination and never giving up on her. Sellers has been coaching Rodriguez for the last four years.

Rodriguez said that she is very excited and honored not only to represent her school, which she truly loves, and the teachers who are like family, but she is truly thankful for the brave men and women that sacrificed for our freedom.