UHD Cheer & Dance Teams Helping Keep MLK's Dream Alive During Grande Parade
Spirit Ambassadors Participating in Jan. 17 Parade
On Jan. 17, the nation will remember the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Events and celebrations will echo his messages of justice, equity and peace, and here in Houston, the MLK Grande Parade will serve as one of the city’s centerpieces for MLK Day.
Among the parade’s participants are none other than UHD’s Cheerleaders and Gatorettes Dance Team. These spirit ambassadors for the University are regular participants in this popular parade and are among the dozens of dignitaries honoring Dr. King on this day.
The MLK Grande Parade begins at 10 a.m., Jan. 17 at San Jacinto and Elgin streets in Midtown. The procession will roll northbound on San Jacinto and conclude on Webster Street. Parade details and its route can be found on the MLK Grande Parade website.
UHD’s Cheerleaders and Gatorettes have long represented the University at citywide events and have been featured on local news outlets. They are mainstays in other prominent parades such as the Houston Livestock & Rodeo Parade and Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Based within UHD’s Sports & Fitness Department, both cheer and dance teams perform at University sporting events and compete at regional competitions, including the National Cheerleading Association Spring Classic and the American Dance/Drill Team Collegiate Nationals.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
