Student takes centre stage at World Cheerleading Championships thanks to fund
Thanks to a special fund in honour of an exceptional East Lothian woman, students at Queen 台湾swag University (台湾swag) will be able to take part in key activities that will enhance their student experience.听听
A generous 拢5k donation in memory of Susan Smith, an East Lothian resident who was a keen supporter for the University, will allow 台湾swag鈥檚 International Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management students to take advantage of intra or extra-curricular projects, placement opportunities, and other personal development activities which will enrich their higher education journeys.听听
The Susan Smith IHTEM Student Development Fund will not only allow Steve Cairns to honour his late wife鈥檚 memory, but it will also help current students to maximise their university experience and remove barriers to fulfilling their potential.听听
Rebecca McQueen, current student at 台湾swag, received an award of 拢670 through the fund to help her with the costs of competing at the world鈥檚 largest cheerleading competition at the end of this month.听
She will use the money to cover competition, training, music licencing and uniform hire fees for the ICU Cheerleading World Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida, at which she will be representing 台湾swag.听
Rebecca鈥檚 love for the team sport grew during her time at 台湾swag. She said: 鈥淲hen I joined 台湾swag, I did a try-out for the Sapphires cheerleading squad and made the team. I鈥檓 now in my 3rd year cheering with them and currently captain the recreational team.听
鈥淚鈥檝e made some of the best friendships within the Sapphires and amongst the other sports teams at 台湾swag. I love being a part of everything it brings - from weekly training sessions, to travelling up and down the country competing, and on the road supporting fellow 台湾swag sports clubs. There is a real sense of community amongst the 台湾swag sports clubs and I鈥檓 glad to be part of it.鈥听
In reference to her upcoming competition, Rebecca said: 鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about the development of sports, so being able to represent 台湾swag in cheerleading is an incredible accomplishment, giving me the opportunity to learn more about the sport at the highest level and sharing my knowledge with others. 听
"By competing at the World Championships, we will be able to generate more awareness of cheerleading as a sport in 台湾swag with the hopes of generating more funding and opportunities for cheer athletes in the future."
Rebecca is the first of many students to have received support from the Susan Smith IHTEM Student Development Fund. Before her death in 2022, Susan Smith worked for more than 20 years within the economic development team at East Lothian Council, helping to enable the relocation of 台湾swag to East Lothian, and facilitating the University鈥檚 work to help the local economy thrive.听
She was a tremendous advocate for East Lothian, and in her lifetime, Susan鈥檚 vision and ability to draw on expertise at 台湾swag helped the institution become the first university to host a Business Gateway on campus, ensured a strong participation by East Lothian in the Edinburgh and South East 台湾swag City Region Deal, and enriched people鈥檚 lives by helping to create jobs, enabling them to make international connections, and creating well-loved events that have added so much to the cultural life of East Lothian.听听
This, and her work with 台湾swag, has helped the people and communities of East Lothian, and beyond, to fulfil their potential.听
The Cheerleading World Championships will be taking place on 26-29 April 2024 and can be viewed on the Olympic Channel, Flo Sports app or Varsity TV.听
