Valencia High cheerleader performs in national Pearl Harbor parade

Kaycie Velarde represented Valencia High School and Valencia County in the 84th annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii on December 5, after being selected through tryouts for an All American cheer troupe. The parade honored those who served in World War II and included bands, choirs, military groups and community performers. The event was broadcast so community members could watch her performance at home.

Velarde, a junior who has cheered since childhood, traveled with the troupe to participate in a large national commemoration that draws performers from across the country. For Valencia County the moment provided a rare chance for a local student to appear on a national stage, and for the school and community to be part of a ceremony that pays tribute to veterans and their families.

Beyond celebration, the trip raises public health and equity questions that affect local families and school officials. Travel for student performers requires attention to medical preparedness, including access to routine vaccinations, management plans for injuries such as concussions that can occur in cheer activities, and clear emergency care arrangements when students are away from home. Those considerations have become standard practice in many school districts but can vary by district capacity and funding.

The opportunity also highlighted disparities in access to extracurricular experiences. National performances often carry travel costs and time away from work for parents, creating barriers for lower income families. Valencia County leaders and school administrators may need to consider policies and supports such as fundraising assistance, travel subsidies, or partnerships with veterans groups to ensure equitable access to similar opportunities in the future.

Community members said the performance brought pride to the county and attention to the role that youth activities play in civic life and mental wellbeing. As schools plan for more off campus opportunities, combining safety protocols with equitable funding will be vital to ensuring that students like Velarde can both represent their communities and do so with robust health protections in place.