IN Greensburg Salem Spring 2019 | Page 37

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