The adapted cheer squad is redefining the game through teamwork, positive energy and school spirit. The adapted cheer squad is a group of students with all abilities who cheer at adapted sports. These students have the opportunity to still be involved in the school spirit, even if they are not able to participate in playing sports. This opportunity connects students, promotes inclusivity and creates a strong bond between teammates.
Also, the cheer squad provides opportunities for students with all abilities to participate in school athletics and strengthen their social and emotional development. It allows anyone who wants to join the opportunity to be a student athlete. The cheer squad helps build confidence and creates a strong bond and friendship with everyone involved.
The adapted cheer squad allows anyone with all abilities to be a part of sports in school, Lorrie Shortridge, a paraprofessional who helps with the cheer squad, said. The school has never really had an opportunity for students who are non-verbal or not able to walk so they are unable to participate in sports that the school offers.
Additionally, the cheer squad has grown significantly with about 10-13 new members this year. The amount of new members on the squad shows the positive impact the team promotes for everyone involved. This inclusive environment for athletes provides an experience that some athletes may not have otherwise.
“I think my favorite part is just seeing all of the participation we’re getting. It’s grown so much more even this year being the second year we’ve got like 10-13 new cheerleaders that joined this year, so we’re pretty excited,” Shortridge said.
Capability switches are used by some cheer team members which offer them the opportunity to press a button to initiate or participate in a cheer. This promotes independence in participation for all members. The cheer buttons allow all students to participate equally eliminating many barriers that many students may have faced in the past.
The cheerleaders use cheer buttons that can get mounted to their wheelchairs and they can push these buttons to activate a cheer anytime. Even the cheerleaders who are verbal love to use the buttons to get a cheer going. The buttons have been a really big hit to promote inclusion, Shortridge and Erin Mathaus said.
The cheer squad increases awareness for general education kids to their classmates who have special needs. Even more unique, this team sport provides a unified experience meaning that general education students and special education students are teammates on the same team. They get the opportunity to compete together instead of on separate teams.
It really gives me perspective on the different abilities of my peers, sophomore Olivia Matiski, a general education cheer squad member, said.
This was the cheer squad’s first year cheering at the homecoming football game. The squad went on the track during the game and worked together with the Pony Super Fans to get the student section crowd more involved through cheering. It was an inclusive experience giving new meaning to the phrase, “Pony nation.”
The adapted cheer squad joined with special guests to help cheer the adapted soccer team in a recent match. During their practice, the sophomore football team cheered alongside the cheer squad raising the noise level in the gym and motivating the soccer players. This was a surprise to most involved.
Mathaus also added, the girls were really excited, referring to the time when the sophomore football players teamed up with the adapted cheer squad to fire up the soccer players.
The adapted cheer squad promotes inclusivity among athletes. It allows athletes with all abilities to be a part of a school sponsored team and raise awareness to all.
“Not only us, but all the students have learned that everyone has amazing abilities one way or another. And we’ve taught a lot of students who would have maybe never had an exposure to what we can do with technology and adapted equipment, right, that opportunity to see it and be a part of it. Pretty cool,” Shortridge said.
