April 27, 2019 at 06:28AM
For the last three years, North Ridgeville High School's Sparkle cheerleading squad has brought students together through school spirit and acceptance.
Sparkle is a growing program that allows high school students of all abilities to unite as one team and cheer on their school, according to Stephanie Fuchs and Stefanie Gaudino, coaches of the high school's squad and intervention specialists.
The all-inclusive squad is a local and national program within some middle schools, high schools and colleges that accepts students with or without disabilities.
Squads in Lorain County include those at Avon and Midview high schools, Fuchs said.
At North Ridgeville, any high school student can be a member of the student-lead squad.
Each member who has a disability is matched with a buddy who does not to cheer alongside them during practices and games.
This year there are 16 members on the squad.
Cheering
The Sparkle squad cheers on the North Ridgeville Rangers at school or during sporting events throughout the academic year.
Members cheer for traditional events like football and boys basketball.
However, they also cheer for soccer, girls basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball.
"The teams really enjoy when our Sparkle cheer squad comes to their games," Fuchs said. "The athletes enjoy seeing our squad, and so do the coaches and parents."
She said she has noticed in the program's three years that Sparkle embraces the student body, school and community.
For example, during halftime of a senior night game, Sparkle cheerleaders performed the school's cheer, "Are you proud to be a Ranger."
Fuchs recalled the entire student body stood and cheered for and along with the Sparkle team.
"Our team gets great support and you can tell it means so much to them," she said. "I think it's been great for all team members and a great bonding experience. They're all friends."
Sparkle
Emily Breeding, a senior, has been a member of the squad for two years.
Her sister Chloe, who has a disability, also is a member of the squad.
Breeding, 18, joined Sparkle last year when she transferred to North Ridgeville High from a school in Oregon.
She said she wanted to be part of an opportunity she knew she could help in.
Since she's been a member, Breeding said she's realized how great the school support is of Sparkle and she's never seen such a supportive student body like North Ridgeville High.
"I know Sparkle may be different, but I feel like the student body really treats us all the same," she said.
Sparkle members with or without a disability get the support they deserve and more, Breeding said.
"North Ridgeville students are very supportive to not only Sparkle cheerleaders, but all students with a disability," she said. "They treat everyone the same, and I think Sparkle has a big part in that."
Breeding said North Ridgeville High students are friendly with their classmates who have disabilities and support them whether they are a part of Sparkle or not.
Sparkle not only makes all members feel included, but helps improve the confidence, skills and friendships among all cheerleaders, Breeding said.
"Being there for them before every performance helps once they get out there; that's what we're there for," she said.
"It's really fun and it makes me feel so good that I'm part of the reason they smile and they're so happy."
Xiomara Iparraguirie, a 15-year-old freshman at North Ridgeville High, said her first year involved in Sparkle has been full of fun and amazing experiences.
However, what she's learned from the group is that spreading awareness of inclusion can create further awareness and a wave of acceptance, no matter the difference, Xiomara said.
"So many people treat others with special needs differently," she said. "(Sparkle) is a group where everyone is treated normal."
For the last three years, North Ridgeville High School's Sparkle cheerleading squad has brought students together through school spirit and acceptance.
Sparkle is a growing program that allows high school students of all abilities to unite as one team and cheer on their school, according to Stephanie Fuchs and Stefanie Gaudino, coaches of the high school's squad and intervention specialists.
The all-inclusive squad is a local and national program within some middle schools, high schools and colleges that accepts students with or without disabilities.
Squads in Lorain County include those at Avon and Midview high schools, Fuchs said.
At North Ridgeville, any high school student can be a member of the student-lead squad.
Each member who has a disability is matched with a buddy who does not to cheer alongside them during practices and games.
This year there are 16 members on the squad.
Cheering
The Sparkle squad cheers on the North Ridgeville Rangers at school or during sporting events throughout the academic year.
Members cheer for traditional events like football and boys basketball.
However, they also cheer for soccer, girls basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball.
"The teams really enjoy when our Sparkle cheer squad comes to their games," Fuchs said. "The athletes enjoy seeing our squad, and so do the coaches and parents."
She said she has noticed in the program's three years that Sparkle embraces the student body, school and community.
For example, during halftime of a senior night game, Sparkle cheerleaders performed the school's cheer, "Are you proud to be a Ranger."
Fuchs recalled the entire student body stood and cheered for and along with the Sparkle team.
"Our team gets great support and you can tell it means so much to them," she said. "I think it's been great for all team members and a great bonding experience. They're all friends."
Sparkle
Emily Breeding, a senior, has been a member of the squad for two years.
Her sister Chloe, who has a disability, also is a member of the squad.
Breeding, 18, joined Sparkle last year when she transferred to North Ridgeville High from a school in Oregon.
She said she wanted to be part of an opportunity she knew she could help in.
Since she's been a member, Breeding said she's realized how great the school support is of Sparkle and she's never seen such a supportive student body like North Ridgeville High.
"I know Sparkle may be different, but I feel like the student body really treats us all the same," she said.
Sparkle members with or without a disability get the support they deserve and more, Breeding said.
"North Ridgeville students are very supportive to not only Sparkle cheerleaders, but all students with a disability," she said. "They treat everyone the same, and I think Sparkle has a big part in that."
Breeding said North Ridgeville High students are friendly with their classmates who have disabilities and support them whether they are a part of Sparkle or not.
Sparkle not only makes all members feel included, but helps improve the confidence, skills and friendships among all cheerleaders, Breeding said.
"Being there for them before every performance helps once they get out there; that's what we're there for," she said.
"It's really fun and it makes me feel so good that I'm part of the reason they smile and they're so happy."
Xiomara Iparraguirie, a 15-year-old freshman at North Ridgeville High, said her first year involved in Sparkle has been full of fun and amazing experiences.
However, what she's learned from the group is that spreading awareness of inclusion can create further awareness and a wave of acceptance, no matter the difference, Xiomara said.
"So many people treat others with special needs differently," she said. "(Sparkle) is a group where everyone is treated normal."
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