Windham Youth Cheerleading’s Showcase a tremendous success

By Matt Pascarella

Every year, at the end of Windham Youth Cheerleading’s season, it holds a showcase to demonstrate all they’ve learned over the season. The 10-week youth cheerleading program is open to grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Last year the program had more than 100 participants and this year has been no different with over 120 athletes participating. The program’s annual showcase was held at Windham High School on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Members of Windham Youth Cheerleading's seventh- and
eighth-grade squad are enthusiastic mid-routine during 
Windham Youth Cheerleading's year-end showcase at
Windham High School on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“The showcase was a success because the girls performed with confidence, energy, and heart; coaches Amy (Rousse), Nicole (Warner), and I could not be prouder of these girls and everything they accomplished this season,” said Marie Gilligan, Windham Youth Cheerleading fifth and sixth grade coach and Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Fundraising for the program. “Watching all their hard work come together at the showcase was such a special moment for us as coaches. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them grow in their skills, confidence, and relationships with one another.”

Each season, the goal is to introduce the sport of sideline cheer as well as introduce athletes to new stunts, cheers, jumps and tumbling. Windham Youth Cheerleading wants to enhance skillsets and knowledge about the sport. It aims to ensure that every participating athlete can foster friendships, achieve personal and emotional growth and a love for cheer.

“The showcase is the highlight of the sideline season,” said Stacy Davis, seventh and eighth grade coach and Director of Windham Youth Cheerleading Finance. “It is the time to show their loved ones all their hard work. You can feel the nerves, excitement and pride on the night of showcase. We also recognize the importance of loved ones’ involvement as well as the support we get from the Windham community. Our program could not continue to grow without the support of the families and community.”

This was a record year for the program as they raised more than $23,000 through fundraising and sponsorships which enabled the group to buy new uniforms for every single cheerleader in the program and provided scholarships for 10 athletes this season.

“I have been doing cheer since I was 7 or 8,” said Windham eighth grader Aubrey Eklund. “The connections I made with all my friends meeting new people and how fun it is to perform in front of others. We did a lot of practice. My goal is to hit all our stunts. One of the big things I’ve learned over the course of the season is facials, if you have big expressions (it makes for a better routine). I want to get better at tumbling ... I do competitive cheer too, so I want to get to be really good to compete at a high level.”

Windham third grader Wyatt Bangs has been a member of Windham youth Cheerleading for two or three years. Bangs said cheering is fun because he can do stunts. His goal for the showcase was to at least do a handstand walk. He wants to keep participating in Windham Youth Cheerleading as he progresses from grade to grade.

"I have been doing cheer for five years,” said Windham eighth grader Abby Baltos. “I love all the jumps and stunts I do and I get to make new friends along the way. My goal was to perform my best and remember the routine and having my motions sharp and smile. I want to keep my level up so I can make varsity as a freshman, although that’s a big goal. I also do competitive cheer, so I just want to maximize how hard I can push myself to be really good.” <