S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

What does it spell?Success.Success for who?A triad of Palmerton Area Junior High School cheerleaders who were chosen for the elite distinction to participate in this year's Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.Eighth-graders Tyra Wentz, Lauren Fegely and Karianna Ruch are scheduled to take their talents to the parade, where they will represent the Universal Cheerleaders Association.The threesome, who are coached by Nicki Herbert, were chosen among several hundred of their contemporaries to partake in the parade, the oldest in the country.Wentz, who has been in cheering since the age of 3, said "At first, I was really surprised because there was so many great cheerleaders that tried out, but I'm really looking forward to the parade and meeting new people along the way.""Being selected as an All American is an honor for me," Wentz said. "I get to represent the United Cheerleading Association, which has been a goal of mine since I was little."Wentz thanked her parents, Barry and Christine Wentz, as well as her sister, Alex, for supporting her through the years she's cheered.Relatively new to the sport, Fegely said she was "very surprised and excited to participate in the parade.""It means that I might actually not be a bad cheerleader," said Fegely, who has been in cheering for three years. "I am very thankful that I am in the parade and that I have this opportunity."Fegely thanked her parents, Kevin and Rebecca Fegely, as well as her nan, pop and sister.Of her selection, Ruch, who has been in cheering for seven years, said "I was really surprised because there are so many other great cheerleaders that could've made it, and I did."It means a lot to me because I love this sport, and I've had a goal to make All American, and now that I made it, I feel so honored and proud of myself," Ruch said. "I'm really glad I'm going to Philadelphia with my two best friends. I also can't wait to make new friends on the trip too."Ruch thanked her parents, Barry and Kimberly Ruch.The event was open to cheerleaders age fourth grade and older. Since only 10 percent of each camp is selected as an All-American, the girls were chosen from several hundred cheerleaders.The UCA was founded in 1974 by Jeff Webb to provide high quality educational training for college and high school cheerleaders through summer camps and clinics on college campus.