Norristown High Cheerleaders recognized for trip to nationals - The Times Herald

March 04, 2019 at 11:29PM

NORRISTOWN — School spirit was in full force at Monday's Norristown Area School Board meeting as the district recognized the accomplishments of the high school cheerleading squad and detailed an impressive slate of district-wide Black History Month education modules and activities.

Fresh from Florida, after their second consecutive trip to the Universal Cheerleading Association High School Nationals in Disneyworld, the cheerleaders were congratulated by board members and administrators, not only for their appearance at nationals but also for their dedication and service to the community year round.

Norristown Athletic Director Anthony Palladino provided an overview of the cheerleading season, which begins in late May or early June and can extend into March, depending on the success of winter sports teams.

Throughout the year, the squad held several fundraisers, participated in qualifying competitions, operated the ticket gates at football games and held youth cheerleading clinics, Paladino said.

"Coaches (Kelli) Watson and (Autumn) Hudson truly put their heart into the program as do all the young ladies," he added.

Watson thanked the school board, the administration, the athletic department and the community for their support.

"We could not have done it without all of your help and assistance," she said.

"The mission of our cheer program has always been to promote well-rounded individuals. It's not just standing on the sideline shaking pom-poms.

"The academic efforts of the girls have to come first in order for them to cheer, and along the way, they learn lifelong lessons and create memories when they put their efforts into something bigger than themselves," she added.

"As part of this team, we promote confidence. They learn dedication, persistence, resilience, and life skills like time management and goal-setting ... There's never a community event or appearance that we turn down. If the cheerleaders are asked to be there, we feel that it's really important to give back to the community.

"We are proud to be Eagles and are grateful to have shared in this experience once again this year."

Head cheerleader Tori Hudson told the board that going to nationals had been a dream of hers since she started cheering when she was five.

"Being able to go (to nationals) two years in a row with such an amazing team really meant a lot," she said. "Thank you for all your support."

In celebration of Black History Month, each school in the district, at every grade level, participated in age-appropriate learning activities, special projects, and assignments designed to highlight the achievements of African Americans.

From first graders reading about Ruby Bridges — the first child to desegregate a Louisiana district in 1960 — to high school focus groups and research projects on local luminaries such as Mary Ann Shaad — the first African-American teacher in Norristown — students received a month-long primer on black history as it relates to just about every aspect of American life.

"To me, it's a celebration of all diversity in our schools — the commitment and the dedication of our teaching staff — to allow students the opportunity to express themselves and to celebrate the wonderful diversity of black history, which is desperately needed throughout education," Dormer said.

NORRISTOWN — School spirit was in full force at Monday's Norristown Area School Board meeting as the district recognized the accomplishments of the high school cheerleading squad and detailed an impressive slate of district-wide Black History Month education modules and activities.

Fresh from Florida, after their second consecutive trip to the Universal Cheerleading Association High School Nationals in Disneyworld, the cheerleaders were congratulated by board members and administrators, not only for their appearance at nationals but also for their dedication and service to the community year round.

Norristown Athletic Director Anthony Palladino provided an overview of the cheerleading season, which begins in late May or early June and can extend into March, depending on the success of winter sports teams.

Throughout the year, the squad held several fundraisers, participated in qualifying competitions, operated the ticket gates at football games and held youth cheerleading clinics, Paladino said.

"Coaches (Kelli) Watson and (Autumn) Hudson truly put their heart into the program as do all the young ladies," he added.

Watson thanked the school board, the administration, the athletic department and the community for their support.

"We could not have done it without all of your help and assistance," she said.

"The mission of our cheer program has always been to promote well-rounded individuals. It's not just standing on the sideline shaking pom-poms.

"The academic efforts of the girls have to come first in order for them to cheer, and along the way, they learn lifelong lessons and create memories when they put their efforts into something bigger than themselves," she added.

"As part of this team, we promote confidence. They learn dedication, persistence, resilience, and life skills like time management and goal-setting ... There's never a community event or appearance that we turn down. If the cheerleaders are asked to be there, we feel that it's really important to give back to the community.

"We are proud to be Eagles and are grateful to have shared in this experience once again this year."

Head cheerleader Tori Hudson told the board that going to nationals had been a dream of hers since she started cheering when she was five.

"Being able to go (to nationals) two years in a row with such an amazing team really meant a lot," she said. "Thank you for all your support."

In celebration of Black History Month, each school in the district, at every grade level, participated in age-appropriate learning activities, special projects, and assignments designed to highlight the achievements of African Americans.

From first graders reading about Ruby Bridges — the first child to desegregate a Louisiana district in 1960 — to high school focus groups and research projects on local luminaries such as Mary Ann Shaad — the first African-American teacher in Norristown — students received a month-long primer on black history as it relates to just about every aspect of American life.

"To me, it's a celebration of all diversity in our schools — the commitment and the dedication of our teaching staff — to allow students the opportunity to express themselves and to celebrate the wonderful diversity of black history, which is desperately needed throughout education," Dormer said.

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