This year Cabrini saw the beginnings of a cheerleading squad, something brand new to the campus. Started by freshmen Danielle DeRosa and Marialena Interrante, the girls spent the majority of their time this year fundraising but plan to be in full swing next year.
DeRosa and Interrante met at freshmen orientation and both had a passion for cheering. “I cheered all through high school and thought that a squad would be a good asset to Cabrini,” DeRosa said. Interrante thinks that having a cheerleading squad will “help with school spirit.” They met with Jason Bozzone at the beginning of the school year and received permission to begin a squad.
Tryouts were in September and unfortunately there wasn’t a good turnout. 12 girls tried out and the squad ended the season with eight girls. The squad consisted of captains Danielle DeRosa and Marialena Interrante, Dana Coia, Eugenia Yakimtsova, Daphne Athana Soploulos, Megan Miliken, Amy Leonard and Lauren Dockson.
The biggest problem that the girls faced this year was that they couldn’t find a coach. Amy Hecht of Student Activities is their adviser but doesn’t serve as a coach. She doesn’t attend practices but rather helps with funding and oversees them. Since the squad was brand new they didn’t have the money to pay a coach and couldn’t find anyone willing to do it for free. Without a coach the girls can’t stunt, which is a big factor and one of the most exciting aspects of cheering.
The girls spent this year fundraising. They attended basketball games and made a good amount of money off of a fifty- fifty. They will continue to fundraise next year and will be selling t-shirts. Their biggest goal for next year is to have a coach. If anyone is interested or knows someone who would be, please feel free to contact Amy Hecht.
DeRosa and Interrante have big plans for the squad in upcoming years. Next year the girls plan to cheer, dance, stunt and tumble at the basketball games. The following year they hope to do the same for lacrosse and soccer as well. At some point down the road the girls would love to go to competitions.
Anyone interested in cheering can look forward to tryouts as soon as school begins again in the fall.
Posted to the web by Lancaster Phillips
