LAKE NONA, Fla. – Cheerleading took over the Orange County Convention Center this week.
The venue hosted the Pop Warner Cheer and Dance National Championships.
One of the most important jobs of a cheerleader is to provide inspiration and motivation.
The Lake Nona Junior Lions’ Addi Hosko does her job very well.
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When she took the stage with her teammates at nationals on Monday, her spirit was evident.
The 12-year-old’s energy was impossible to miss.
Her father compares her enthusiasm to the muppet “Animal.” He said she is fearless in everything she does.
Hosko was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency which is a rare condition that impacts the growth of her leg bones.
This did not deter her from going out for the Lake Nona cheer squad and it does not impact her ability to cheer.
Hosko said her teammates and coaches are like family.
Her coach said Hosko is the team’s “glue.”
Everything came together for Lake Nona at nationals. Hosko and the Junior Lions finished fifth in the country.