Athlete by Nature... Cheerleader by Choice!
S
ports’ seasons come and go, but
Greensburg Salem’s cheerleaders are
on the sidelines, in the stands, or in the
community rooting loud and proud all year
long!
GSHS’s cheer squad currently has 25
participants and two Golden Lion mascots
across the Varsity and Junior Varsity groups.
The cheerleaders cheer at all home and away
Varsity boys’ football and basketball games and
at all home girls’ basketball games, as well as
at Senior Night for several other sports. When
asked to cheer or help at other events such as
Special Olympics, the Harlem Wizards game,
Buddy Day, Bullying Prevention, or elementary
school Spirit Days, the cheerleaders are excited
to take part!
Many, though not all, of the cheerleaders
began their cheer careers at the recreational
level through the City of Greensburg’s youth
program or through South Greensburg
Bulldogs Youth Cheerleading program when
they were as young as four or five years old.
Now at the high school level, they volunteer to
run the camp for Greensburg Recreation Little
Lions Cheer. The weeklong camp teaches the
fundamentals of cheer and safety. Several
students also volunteer their own time every
day to coach the Little Lions and attend
every game, committing three months to the
program on top of their high school cheer and
regular school commitments.
Varsity coach Linda Carpellotti and Junior
Varsity coach Linda O’Bryan stress the
importance of giving back to the community.
“We’ve been involved in many community
events,” said Coach Carpellotti. “It is very
humbling to see our team help others
and, more importantly, learn and grow as
contributing members of the community.”
The squad has raised money for a fellow
classmate who was battling cancer, sponsored
a child at the Welcome Home Center for
Christmas and provided a holiday party for the
residents, and cheered on the winner of the
United Way’s food run contest at Shop ‘N Save.
“Cheer has changed me as a person, not
only with being respectful, but with wanting
to make people smile and help others,” said
senior Braidy Fulton, who has over ten years of
cheerleading experience.
Although their season does not have a start
or end date, the “slow season” is May through
July when there are no school events. During
this time, the squad prepares camp material,
practices agendas, and attends stunt camp.
The coaches take this time to focus on specific
pieces they want to accomplish, build stunting
groups, and teach new material.
Senior Abby Teska has been cheering for 11
years, starting as a Greensburg Recreation
cheerleader. “The most rewarding aspect of
cheering is getting to make people smile,
whether it’s the players when they are coming
off of the field after a big win or the little girls
that come up to the fence and look at you like
you are a movie star,” said Abby. “It’s the best
feeling in the world!”
Starting as a Bulldog cheerleader over 11 years
ago, senior Lexxi Thompson has learned some
great lessons about friendships along the way.
“We make so many memories together, and
we truly are a family,” she said. “We always have
each other’s backs no matter what. I love my
teammates and it wouldn’t be the same with
any other group of girls!”
Coaches Carpellotti and O’Bryan feel the most
rewarding part of leading the squad is to see
the team work together towards a goal and
accomplish it- whether it is a difficult team
dance, a challenging stunt or simply to hear
feedback from community members on how
much they appreciate all that the Golden
Lion squad does to help the school and
community. Coach Carpellotti stated, “To think
that we may have a piece of that growth is
very humbling.”
Disney’s Newsies to Hit GSMS Stage!
I
t’s time to carry the banner on the middle school stage with Disney’s
Newsies! Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the
rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band
of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices
at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to
strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story,
Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little
Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award
winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs
“Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed
with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole
family and every audience.
Greensburg Salem Middle School proudly presents Disney’s Newsies
on the following dates:
March 21st (Patron Night) 7:00 p.m.
March 22nd 7:00 p.m.
March 23rd 7:00 p.m.
March 24th 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are $7.00 for
Reserved Seating
and $5.00 General
Admission
Ticket presales will
be March 18, 19, and
20th in our Middle
School Lobby from
5:30-7:00, and tickets
are available an hour
and a half prior to
each show.
Greensburg Salem
❘
spring 2019
35