‘I’m 80 and I’ve got more energy than most people’

The Sun City Poms – currently aged from 58 to 89 – have been bringing flair to their retirement community for over 40 years

3 years ago

in Life Style

Reading Time: 6 mins read

Sun City, Arizona was the first large-scale retirement community in the US when it opened in 1960. For the last 43 years it has been home to the cheerleading grannies of the Sun City Poms, a marching and performance group whose 28 members range in age from 58 to 89; they practise three times a week and appear at up to 50 events a year. US photographer Kendrick Brinson has been documenting Sun City since 2009, and describes it as a “joyful and uplifting” place to work. Towards the end of last year, as vaccines were bringing the Covid-19 pandemic under control, she wanted to know how the Poms were faring, and flew back to Arizona. On 11 December, the Poms marched in the Christmas in the Park holiday parade in Litchfield Park, only their third performance after the pandemic put community events on hold for 18 months. “We all worked hard on Zoom to be ready to perform when the lockdown was lifted,” says Kathy Villa, 65, the Poms’ marching director. “I might have teared up from seeing so many happy faces at once,” Brinson says.

Members of the Sun City Poms cheerleaders practise hula hooping in one of their backyards in the midst of pandemic restrictions.

Members of the Sun City Poms cheerleading group practise marching and dancing in unison

Sharon Word (above, second from right) has been with the Poms for nine years. “What keeps you young?” she says. “Learning – never lose the child within your soul, and have a zest for life. The first time I came here, I thought: oh, this is like Girl Scouts’ camp! I’ll just keep going till I die.”

Some of the Poms managed to carry on meeting, in member Sherri Sharp’s backyard, when the pandemic put a stop to their regular practice sessions. Greta Paulsen, 73, said it “feels wonderful” to be able to march and perform together again.

A Sun City Poms green and gold cheerleading outfit on a hanger

Boots and accessories of Sun City Proms cheerleader Mary Zirbel on and beside her bed

Mary Zirbel of the Sun City Poms cheerleading group gets her costume on — Mary Zirbel gets ready at her home in Sun City

Mary Zirbel, 80, is the longest-serving member of the Poms. After 21 years, she has no plans to quit. “I’ve got the energy,” she says. “I’ve got more energy than most people.” As the group’s majorette – a role she also filled at high school – Zirbel leads the marches and loves hearing the crowd’s reactions: “You girls go! Oh, I wish I had those legs! We love you.”

The Sun City Poms march down the street in formation in the Christmas in the Park holiday parade in Litchfield Park, Arizona December 11, 2021

Members of the Sun City Poms cheerleading group practise marching and dancing in unison before a performance

Members of the Sun City Poms cheerleading group hold hands before a performance — Zirbel (above right) with the baton whose twirling she says always makes the crowd smile

Members of the Sun City Poms cheerleading group walk down the street before the Christmas in the Park holiday parade in Litchfield Park, Arizona, December 11 2021 — Zirbel (above right) with the baton whose twirling she says always makes the crowd smile

Members hold hands and pray (above) as they get ready for the 2021 Christmas parade in Litchfield Park, Arizona – their third performance back together after months of lockdowns kept them apart. President Peggy Parsons (right of centre pic), 80, says: ‘We’re like sisters now. I have osteoporosis and deteriorating disc disease, and the more exercise I get, the better.’

story by Kendrick Brinson