High School Cheer Squad Defends Controversial 9/11 Tribute Routine

Some praised the cheerleaders for putting on such an "amazing" tribute, while others found the performance "cringeworthy" and "tasteless."

The Lumberton High School cheer squad has performed a 9/11-themed routines since 2002, and Sheffield believes the team's hard work and dedication is "making a difference in the lives of our community."

Sheffield also says the video's overwhelming response was a major surprise to the team.

"It is certainly never anything we could have ever imagined," she said. "We are totally humbled that something we work hard on, year after year, can make such a huge impact," continuing, "One of our cheerleaders, Rachel Richard, put it perfectly, 'This wasn't a way for us to show off. It was a way for us to use our skills in honor of our country.'"

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