CHS Senior Cheered in Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade

By Misty Cryer

A lifetime of cheer led to an incredible opportunity for a member of the varsity CHS Cheer Team. Rachel Horton, daughter of Mark and Linda Horton, first earned the title “All-American Cheerleader,” which opened the door for her to perform in the 2025 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii on December 7.

This parade commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor with a theme of “remembering our past while celebrating that once bitter enemies can become friends and allies” to honor and pay respect to the Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans, active duty military, and their families according to https://www.pearlharborparade.org/, which also provides a link to watch the annual parade and ceremony published on the Historic Programs’ YouTube channel.

Last summer, Rachel went with the CHS Varsity Cheer Team to a UCA (Universal Cheerleader Association) Camp, which she explained is a regional cheerleading camp.

“One of their sub-programs is called All-American,” said Rachel. “You have to try out, and then you get awarded the title of All-American Cheerleader,” she said.

“We found out there was like a branch of opportunities for All-American that can take you to different places to cheer,” said Rachel. This year, she said the choices included Disney World, London, and Hawaii. Her choice was the memorial parade in Hawaii, which she said was for the 84^th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

“There were about 800 girls there from all around the country,” said Rachel. The route was around three miles each way, and she was there for four days, she said.

“The 800 cheerleaders were divided into four groups of about 200 each and walked in different parts of the parade to break up the large group,” said Linda Horton. “There were 103 groups participating in the parade, including all branches of the military, several WWII veterans, and two women—age 101 and 102—who worked as Rosie the Riveters,” she said.

“Through All-American, they scheduled two excursions that everyone does together, split into groups,” said Rachel. She said that one day, they got to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. “The other day, we got to go to the actual ship.”

Rachel said she got to meet girls from Alaska and Pennsylvania, although most of her time was spent with other cheerleaders from New Mexico. “I was the only one who went from Carlsbad,” she said.

“I’m very proud that I went. It was an awesome experience to get to see that many other girls—and a couple of guys, too—who love a sport that I also love so much,” said Rachel. “It was really cool to see everyone be so friendly and welcoming,” she said.

Rachel said everyone was at the same level. “Everyone was working hard, doing the same thing, and just to get to experience everyone looking at you while you’re celebrating something for our country…it was amazing.”

“Both her dad and I are Marine Corps vets, which made her being in this parade very special to us,” said Linda.

 Rachel is a senior on the varsity Carlsbad High School Cheer Team. “I have been a cheerleader since I was four,” Rachel said. She said what she likes most about cheerleading is, “it gives you, like, a built-in little family. My team are all of my best friends. It gives me a community for myself.”

Rachel said there are many people she finds inspiring, with special recognition to the girls on her team, including juniors and seniors. “They just push me to be better, and they help me a lot,” she said.

After graduation, Rachel said she plans to attend the University of New Mexico to earn a degree in psychology. With that degree, she envisions becoming a forensic psychology expert in court or becoming a lawyer.

Cherise Cardin, CHS Varsity Cheer Coach, said watching Rachel’s growth not only in her skills as a cheerleader, but in her confidence, leadership, and character over the past year has been incredibly rewarding. “She is someone I can count on and trust to lead her team,” she said.

“She is an exceptional athlete but an even more remarkable person,” said Cardin. “I am incredibly proud of all she has accomplished, and I feel truly fortunate to coach someone who brings such integrity and passion to everything she does.

“I know she has a very bright future,” she added.

Submitted photos:

1-Team Eagle – All American Cheerleaders cheered in the 2025 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii.

2-Rachel Horton earned the title “All American Cheerleader” last summer at a UCA Camp.

3-Rachel Horton is a senior on the varsity CHS Cheer Team.

4-As an All-American Cheerleader, Rachel Horton was offered the opportunity to cheer in the 2025 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii on December 7.