DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) - The cheerleaders stood in a circle in the middle of the gymnasium at Doug Tew Center on Wednesday, the end of a long, fun, life-changing three months.
Dothan High School’s varsity cheerleaders have been meeting each week with the Dothan Blast, a group of special needs cheerleaders preparing for regional competition April 11 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Dothan squad taught the Blast a cheer, dance routine and pyramid.
The Blast taught the Dothan High cheerleaders a lot more.
The Blast cheerleaders were encouraged to stand in the circle and tell the Dothan squad anything they wanted about their weekly meetings since January.
One cheerleader paused, looked down and then up again.
“You’re my heroes,” she said.
April 1 represented an end to the competition preparation, but will not represent an end to the interaction between the Dothan High cheerleaders and their new friends.
Dothan High Cheerleader Co-Captain Elizabeth Krista has formed a bond with Blast cheerleader Brandi Deese. Last year, Krista and her boyfriend attended a prom with Brandi at First Baptist Church. Next week, she will travel with the team to Tallahassee, and cheer from the stands.
“It has really had an impact on me,” said Krista, a senior who plans to major in physical therapy at Auburn University.
Krista has worked with the Blast since her freshman year. Over the past four years, she has developed a desire to coach special needs students as part of her career.
Dothan High sophomore Alexis Davis said the Wednesday cheer sessions are the highlight of her week.
“I wish we met more than one day a week,” she said. “I want to go into social work and this has just motivated me to want to help them more.”
The Blast cheerleaders have only been in existence for five years, but have dominated the Tallahassee competition for the last few years, placing first and advancing to the national competition in Jacksonville, Florida, where they have placed first there as well.
The ribbons are a big deal, but Blast cheerleader Deese said the hours spent with the Dothan cheerleaders are a far greater reward.
“They are the greatest friends,” she said.
Blast cheerleader Ashley Kelley said the bond with the Dothan squad formed immediately.
“We really connected with them,” Kelley said. “Even though we are different squads, they have taken the time to work with us.”
Northview High special needs teacher and Dothan Blast coach Barbie Nelson said the blending of abilities and the opportunity to share strengths made the interaction special.
“You know, you look out there and you don’t see one bit of difference,” Nelson said. “When these Dothan cheerleaders get older, they will think back about the difference they made. It plants a seed with them to do this for the rest of their lives.”
Deese said she wanted to leave a parting message for her new Dothan High friends.
“We just want them to know we love them and we are going to miss them,” Deese said.
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Information from: The Dothan Eagle, https://www.dothaneagle.com
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