OT- Oprah on 11/26- Special Needs Cheer Squad

[exwdwcm]

Just had to share the news, we were so excited. So my sister got a call from the Oprah show to send in some footage of her cheer squad. My sister is a HS special ed teacher and cheer coach in Plano, TX. She saw the 'Spartan Sparkles' on Oprah last year and decided to start her own cheer squad of special needs girls! Her regular squad mentors the girls who range from down syndrome to autistic etc. One is even completely non verbal, but her cheer mentor helps her move her hands and clap. There is even a set of the cutest, most outgoing twins that bring such personality and spirit!

She was able to secure a grant from Pepsi, so her girls have great uniforms, poms and are called the Smiles. I saw them perform at a game last week and they were awesome! You could see their parents beaming with pride and I was too. They get to perform at some of the games, pep rallys etc.

I think it is a win-win for the existing squad too- getting to mentor and coach and get back so much in return from these amazing girls. Oprah is doing a recap show to display the 'sparkle effect' that the original squad has had and all the new squads that have popped up all over the country now.

here's the original story:
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Headline-Making-Heroes/5

The recap is supposed to air 11/26. Look for the Shepton Smiles in black and silver! They are awesome!

 

[DVCsince02]

That's awesome, Michelle! Best of luck to your sister and her squad.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

How very cool! I remember the original story. Congrats to you and your sister!

 

[mommy2allgirls]

I haven't read the story yet but I was curious do they perform at any cheer competitions in the DFW area? Two of my dds are on a special needs team in Denton! I think what your sister is doing is amazing!

 

[mommy2allgirls]

Ok, I just read the article and watched the video and I am in tears.

 

[exwdwcm]

I haven't read the story yet but I was curious do they perform at any cheer competitions in the DFW area? Two of my dds are on a special needs team in Denton! I think what your sister is doing is amazing!

Thanks all! She is so excited and I am so proud of her and the girls.

They don't compete or anything. They perform at at least 3-4 games and also at some pep rallies too.

That is great on your DDs in Denton- what school or is it an outside organization? I'll have to let her know about it. I am a UNT grad myself, lived in Denton for 5 years!

 

[SFBayDon]

Special Needs Cheerleading is AWESOME. As a former Cheerleading coach in California we have seen the rise of this special category. Away from the schools “All Star” cheerleading has embraced this. To learn more about the offerings, check out http://usasf.net/programs/specialneeds/. We have several Special Needs teams in the Bay Area and the love and support that surrounds them is truly something to experience if you can.

Huge thanks to the OP for this thread.
Don