Clearfield Area High School Cheerleaders Shiann McGovern, left, and Chelsea Billotte were recently selected to participate in the Big 33 Classic to be held Saturday in Hershey. The duo will join Head Football Coach Tim Janocko and lineman Nick Redden as representatives of their school at the all-star football game that pits the best of Pennsylvania against the best of Ohio. (Submitted photo)

But the gridiron stars aren't the only ones making a trip to Hershey to showcase their talents. Fifty-six cheerleaders, including Clearfield Area High School's Chelsea Billotte and Shiann McGovern, will also make the trip to Chocolatetown this year.

The duo, like their smash-mouth counterparts, punched their ticket to the event by excelling in their sport. The girls had to earn their trip every step of the way, traveling to Cheer Tyme in Lemoyne to compete for the right to cheer during one of high school football's biggest rivalries. Clearfield Head Cheerleading Coach Connie Hepfer recommended Shiann and Chelsea, her top two senior athletes, for the Big 33 Classic tryout after receiving information on it in the mail.

At the Cheer Tyme Big 33 competition the pair were watched closely by a panel of judges. The judges graded them on cheering, dancing, jumping, tumbling and stunting. About 95 girls tried out in person for the big game the day Ms. McGovern and Ms. Billotte tried out, the first of two tryout days. An additional 30 girls also submitted tryout videos.

"The judges talked to us and watched us throughout the day to make sure we would be good representatives," said Ms. Billotte. "I think that was just as important. They wanted to make sure we were good kids that weren't going to cause any problems."

Ms. McGovern concurred, and added that they were very nervous during the competition. The competition was very intimidating, she said, and a lot of the girls trying out were "very sure of themselves."

So, naturally both girls were ecstatic when they learned of their appointment to the Big 33 squad.

"I wasn't surprised when I found out both girls made it because they are both very talented and have contributed to our squads over the years," said Mrs. Hepfer, who has coached cheerleading for a total of 20 years. "I was glad to see they were both picked to cheer for Pennsylvania."

Ms. McGovern said cheering for Pennsylvania was not a guarantee, because Ohio does not have its own cheerleading squad. All 56 girls selected to cheer at the game come from Pennsylvania and 28 of them will be cheering for the enemy.

"I would have been glad that we at least made it, but I was excited we got picked to cheer for Pennsylvania," said Ms. Billotte. "I have to support Pa.

"I'd rather be wearing blue and white. Not red and white."

Once they learned of their selection a lot of work lay ahead. The girls were responsible for raising $600 to pay for a full-page ad in the Big 33 program and additional money to pay for nine-day hotel stay and other traveling expenses. The girls sought out local businesses to help pay for their ads, Ms. McGovern said, that they were to design themselves. Each coach, football player and cheerleader had to design his or her own program ad.

Monday begins a busy week for the Clearfield seniors. They will participate in four-hour daily practices, amid a number of other activities. They will attend a banquet with their parents at Milton Hershey School's Founder's Hall, and take part in a tie-dyed T-shirt swap.

"We're also taking a trip to Hersheypark one day," said Ms. McGovern. "They're going to split us up as part of a buddy system and each of us is going to take a mentally-challenged individual with us to the park for the day."

The game is extra special for Ms. McGovern and Ms. Billotte because they will make the trip with a fellow classmate and coach. Center Nick Redden has been selected to play for the Pennsylvania squad that will be coached by Clearfield's own Tim Janocko.

"It's a great experience to, number one, go down to Hershey and be there personally," said Mrs. Hepfer. "We may not have gotten that opportunity if the girls hadn't been selected.

"There's a lot of recognition that goes along with the Big 33 game, and to have Clearfield represented there is a great honor for our school."

Mrs. Hepfer added that the school is working to get Clearfield's cheerleading squad to the game to watch and observe. She said the game provides an opportunity for underclassmen to see what they have to look forward to with a little bit of hard work.

Both Ms. McGovern and Ms. Billotte plan to continue their cheerleading careers in college. Ms. McGovern plans to attend St. Francis University to major in pre-law, and Ms. Billotte is headed for Penn State-Altoona to study architectural engineering.

"We're really excited to go to Hershey," said Ms. Billotte. "It's going to be a fun, tiring week."