Cheerleaders' Dedication May Be Their Ticket to Disney World

Cheers for the Red and Black echoed throughout the gym as Cinnaminson’s Pop Warner Pee Wee and Midget cheerleading squads practiced their routines. No complaints were heard as jumps, pyramids and dance steps were rehearsed and perfected during a two-hour-long practice, the night before a day off from school.

Both teams are heading to the Pop Warner Regional Qualifier Sunday in Trenton where they will perform in hopes of moving forward in the competition. First and second place winners are invited to perform and compete at the 2011 Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Disney World during the first week of December.

According to Annie D'Auitolo, Cinnaminson Pop Warner Cheerleading commissioner, this is the first time Cinnaminson is sending two teams to the regional qualifier. If they succeed, it will be the first time Cinnaminson is represented at the national level.

The midget squad

The midget squad includes mainly seventh- and eighth-grade students and one sixth-grader. They cheer for the 160-pound football team. The girls have been practicing almost daily for several weeks. Shannon C., an eighth grader who has only been cheering since last year, said all the practice and work can be hard.

“Most people don’t get how hard it is to get the moves perfect and how tiring it can be," she said. “It’s great exercise and the hard work is really worth it.”

Head coach Mary D’Amico proudly described her squad.

“They're a good team, they work well together," she said. "Every time we need to change things, they catch on quick. They really enjoy coming to practice and dancing their hearts out. If we don't make it to nationals, I really hope the girls still realize how far they've come and that hard work really does pay off. 

D'Amico is a 2007 graduate and she coaches along with Nicole Strough, a 2007 graduate of Riverside High School. When asked if the girls have a shot at first or second place on Sunday, both coaches smiled and nodded yes.

The two coaches are assisted by , a CHS student and all-star cheerleader, whom D'Amico referred to as “a very good role model for all the girls."

"I don’t know what we would do without her,” she said. 

Marie Birbeck is the assistant coach and said she's confident the girls can make it to Disney World.

“I’ve seen many teams come through Cinnaminson’s program and this one is a championship team,” Birbeck said.

The pee wee team 

The Pee Wee team is a bit younger and includes fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders who cheer for the 120-pound football team. This is the first time a pee wee team from Cinnaminson has progressed to this level of competition. Their coaches, Brittany and Annette Rodgers, a daughter and mom team from Cinnaminson, are proud of their squad’s accomplishments.

"I am extremely proud of the girls' dedication and working together as a team," said Brittany Rodgers. "The girls really mesh well together and are always willing to help one another. What I want the girls to take from this experience is the number one thing every girl needs, confidence.”

The pee wee squad’s excitement was contagious as they danced, tumbled and jumped through their routine. Smiling was spontaneous as the girls performed.

Marissa N., who has been practicing a lot, said, "It’s really fun and my favorite thing to do is stunts.” 

Large Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls stood watch in the gym as a reminder of where their hard work may take them.