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The team is hoping that locals will help fund the trip, using the crowdfunding site YouCaring. "We are fundraising to cover the cost of transportation to and rooming in Florida for all 14 girls on the team," coach Victoria Scheff explained on the page.
The Giants won the southern Connecticut competition on Oct. 8 and the state championship on Oct. 15. The sixth- through eighth-grade girls then placed second at the regional competition in Springfield, Mass., on Nov. 5, vying against teams from three other states.
"They've definitely put in a lot of hard work," assistant coach JoAnn Simonelli told Daily Voice. "They've been practicing since Aug. 1 for 10 hours a week, if not more."
The majority of them also cheer on their school teams as well, she added.
Simonelli's eighth-grade daughter, who's been cheerleading since fourth grade, is a co-captain on the team.
This is the third time the team has made it to nationals since 2012, she added.
You can find the Giants' YouCaring campaign here.
While the team hopes to raise money as soon as possible for the trip, "It's never too late," Simonelli said. "We'll still be fundraising when we get back."
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