By Lauren Krogman, Steph Freund, Tyler Christensen

Senior Lauren Krogman and 2013 graduate Sam Markham attended the Shrine Bowl this past July at the UNI-dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  Krogman participated in a week of cheer practices, learning the various cheers, and Markham in a week full of football practices.  The players and cheerleaders involved in the Shrine Bowl also had the chance to visit patients in the Shriner’s Hospital.  All this lead up to the Shrine Bowl game on Saturday, July 27.

Krogman was nominated for the Shrine Bowl in February by Head Cheer Coach Taylor Hastings.  After being nominated, Krogman chose to try-out for the Shriner’s squad, which meant traveling to Altoona where the Shriner’s Temple is located.  She was among the 120 girls who tried-out and was one of the 50 picked to cheer this summer.  After being chosen, she received a DVD of dances and a cheer to learn before arriving in Cedar Falls on July 22.  Once arriving in Cedar Falls, Krogman took part in a week full of activities and practices. By the time the game rolled around, the cheerleaders had learned a ten minute routine to perform at halftime of the Shrine Bowl game.

The Shrine bowl is a charity game put on by Shriner’s Hospitals to raise funds for their hospital.  All patients that attend Shriner’s Hospital do not have to pay for their care, making all funds go towards the patients themselves.

Krogman states, “My Shrine Bowl experience was amazing to say the least.  The 6 hour practices in the heat didn’t mean anything by the end of the week, knowing what the patients at the hospital have been through.  The kids were absolutely incredible and I will never forget this experience, and I hope to do it again next year!”

Sam Markham, also participated in the game. “The overall experience was next to none.  I met great people and developed lifelong friendships.  Meeting the disabled kids and hearing their stories was absolutely gratifying, said Markham.  They were definitely the highlight of the week and it will be a memory I’ll cherish forever.”

Football coaches Nick Ross and Brian Woods attended the game to support the two Atlantic students.