Former USC Song Girl Claudene Christian was a casualty of Hurricane Sandy aboard the HMS Bounty, which sank under the wind and waves off the North Carolina coast. Christian, a crew member on the ship, was found unresponsive in the water early Monday morning, and pronounced dead after being airlifted from the scene.
Fourteen of the 16 crew members survived in life boats, but Christian and the ship's captain, who is still missing, could not be rescued. She was 42.
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"The USC Song Girl Family is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our beautiful former Song Girls, Claudene Christian," said Song Girl coaches Lori Nelson and Dolly Rouse in a joint statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to her parents and family. As a USC Song Girl, Claudene will always be remembered for her kindness, enthusiasm and charismatic personality. Claudene will be missed by all who knew and loved her."
Christian (pictured far right with the 1990 Song Girls) created a cheerleading doll company as a student at USC*. Initially, she made Song Girl dolls, but eventually the brand grew into the Cheerleader Doll Company.
She chose to sail with the HMS Bounty to celebrate its history as a replica of the 18th century British three-masted ship on which "Mutiny on the Bounty" was based. The vessel was featured in the film version of "Mutiny on the Bounty" and two of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.
(Photo of the sunken HMS Bounty by Tim Kuklewski/U.S. Coast Guard via Getty Images)
Claudene actually started her Cheerleading Doll Company while a freshman at USC in 1988. She was an honored member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
She had volunteered to be a crewmember aboard the HMS Bounty partly as a tribute to her ancestor Fletcher Christian.
ALSO, Claudene was eventually rescued after 9-10 in the water, but was reported to be "unresponsive." According to news reports, she later died at the hospital in North Carolina.
Rest in Peace Claudene.
Rest in peace Claudene. From MB to USC God bless you and your family.
Rest in Peace Claudene. Now you can cheer our Trojans from Heaven , because as we all know God is a Trojan! Fight On Trojan Angel!!
I met Claudene only once prior to a game she was cheerleading. She signed one of her colorful cards and I bought one of her beautiful, unique dolls for my God Daughter who loved it.Claudene could not have been nicer to me that day and it meant alot to me. I morn her loss and my prayers go out to her family during this difficult time.
What a tragic ending to what most certainly started as an exciting adventure. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this challenging and sacred time.
I had heard about this but didn't realize that she was a Trojan, a Song Girl, nor that she was the one that started the Collegiate Cheerleader Doll. I have the doll on my shelf in the box for the past 20+ years, and sure enough, there is Claudene's picture and name on the box. Thank you for sharing. We will add her and her family to our prayers tonight.
I too was saddened to hear the news about a beautiful Trojan and Gamma Phi Beta Sister. I also have one of those dolls nicely boxed on my shelf as well. I will cherish it even more. I love the comment from all especially about God is A Trojan and she is now the Trojan Angel. May you rest in Peace and your wonderful spirit live on. God Bless.
God bless her. My love and prayers to her family & friends. I know she is Fighting On in heaven =)