Traci Brandon, the Mercer Island High School Cheer Coach, was awarded the Washington State Cheer Coaches Association (WSCCA) High School Cheer Coach of the Year Award during the WSCCA Cheer Conference banquet on June 2nd.
Over 200 High School Cheer Coaches were qualifiers for the award from both public and private high schools.
In her eleven years as MIHS Cheer Coach, Brandon has taken the MIHS cheer team from one squad to both Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity squads. Additionally, she has grown the team from 14 to 40 students in the program. In 2010 she added in four Stuntmen. The team will have eight stuntmen to start the fall 2012 season.
Some of the criteria for receiving this award include: Years in coaching, cheer community involvement, growth of program, and continuing education. Last year Brandon took over 30 hours of continuing education classes, lectures and seminars to help enhance her coaching. These included attending the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) conference, attending the WSCCA conference, additional stunt certification and classes on facilitation and working with young adults.
Brandon received several nominations and dozens of letters of recommendations from current cheerleaders, MIHS cheer alumni, the MIHS administration and cheer parents. Final judging was done by the Executive Committee of the WSCCA.
