Schools
Marple Junior Tigers Senior Cheerleaders
Cheer squad overcomes obstacles, wins competitions citing dedication and enthusiasm of the girls.
Each week, Marple Newtown Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This week, we highlight the hardworking Marple Junior Tigers Senior Cheerleaders.
Patch Whiz Kids of the Week: Marple Junior Tigers Senior Cheerleaders
Whiz Kids’ Team, Ages: Marple Junior Tigers Senior Cheerleaders, ages 12 to 15.
Find out what's happening in Marple Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Whiz Kids’ School:
Whiz Kids’ Accomplishment: Despite losing some veterans and gaining many new members mid-season, the Marple Junior Tigers Senior Cheerleaders practiced hard and won two out of four cheerleading competitions, always finishing among the top four teams.
Find out what's happening in Marple Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Whiz Kids’ Key to Awesomeness: Each person who talked about this year’s team was impressed with the girls’ dedication and enthusiasm. Coach Kerren Alisaukas felt they had a tough season with the small team membership “growing, then shrinking, then growing again,” but added, "no matter what happened, it never affected their practices.”
Colleen Fledderman, mother of Olivia and Olya Fledderman, both on the team, nominated the group because she was impressed with their hard work in practicing “two hours for two evenings per week to become a successful cheer squad.” She was no less impressed that the girls “are as nice as they are talented,” saying, “they all get along and support each other and have fun together—they are amazing.”
Fledderman’s daughters both stated how much fun they had being on the team but also revealed the team’s serious side. “We all practiced so hard because we wanted to do well and we wanted to win,” said Olivia, age 13.
It was clear that Coach Alisaukas and Coach Sara Pavoen appreciated their enthusiasm. “During my six years of coaching, I have never coached a group of girls with such a passion for the sport,” said Alisaukas. “Despite the challenges they faced, they surpassed our expectations each week, and we were very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to coach them,” she added.
Editor's note: Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.
