As the Penn Poms team season comes to a close, so does their run for a state championship, but not without hopes for looking to bring home another trophy.

In the last 10 years, the successful program has won a state championship 3 times, and this year is expected to be no different. The team is seasoned, with only having a handful of freshman and sophomores.

When junior Adrianna Waldorn was asked about her opinion on how her team was going to do in the state run this year, she said, “State is March 11th! Our competitions have been great this season! We’ve gotten top 3 every time with some 3rd places, 2nd places and a 1st place!”

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The Penn Poms team is all smiles before their first performance of the season.

The confidence she displays in her team is incredible, and it spreads throughout the team like wildfire.

In another interview with Ciera Chavez, a junior captain, she says, “… I have wanted to lead my team in the right direction and bring our school a new state title… I want my team to be each other’s best friends and to want first place as bad as I do!”

Both of the girls have a common goal for their team this year: to win and be successful. However, head coach Cindi Minegar believes there is more to comp poms than winning.

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Head Coach Cindi Minegar and her assistant coach and daughter Alison Minegar.

In a recent interview with PNN, she says, “My goal for the girls is simply to be the best they can be. Winning is great, but this is about setting goals for yourself, learning to be responsible to your team, and always trying to better yourself.”

As the 2016-17 Penn Competition Poms season comes to a close with state finals just around the corner, the team feels closer than ever.

All of the competitors and coaches agree that they’re like a big family, and that’s what it’s really all about.

By Kevin McNulty

Kevin McNulty teaches English and Mass Media Studies at Penn High School. He advises the Penn News Network and manages the PNN Studio and news room. For more information, navigate your browser to www.massmediastudies.net.