Two cheerleaders from Rock Hill Middle School and one from the high school will spend most of Christmas break in sunny Florida.

Seven Redmen cheerleaders were given the All-American Cheer award, which enables them to participate in the Capital One Bowl Halftime Show. Seventh-graders Haley Hackney and Sarah Shope and sophomore Shelby Dalton have decided to make the trip.

“These girls are not only representing the school, but the entire county,” Ginger Dalton, Rock Hill art teacher and cheerleading adviser, said. “We are raising the money needed to go by doing car washes, bake sales and rummage sales. Those things don’t raise a lot of money, but it all helps.”

Shelby is Dalton’s daughter and has in the past used cheerleading as a springboard for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. In 2011, Shelby was a cheerleader during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

“Macy’s was a lot of fun,” Shelby said. “I made a ton of friends and we all still keep in touch.”

The three girls will receive a video of the routine that will be performed during the game, which is deemed “America’s Best Halftime Show” by show organizers. Roughly 1,200 cheerleaders from across the country will take the field.

The Capital One Bowl will take place in Orlando on New Year’s Day and will pit a Big 10 team against an SEC team. Dalton, Shope and Hackney will also visit Disney World and Universal Studios as part of the trip package.

Fundraising for the girls’ trip is ongoing and anyone who would like to donate can call Ginger Dalton at Rock Hill Middle School at (740) 532-7206.