January 2023 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

SPREADING THE SPARTAN SPIRIT THROUGHOUT SCHOOL AND BEYOND!

Springfield Sparkles inclusive cheer team

WRITTEN BY MELISSA KLATT

Rah! Rah! Rah! Springfield Local School District in Akron brings on the heat with their special needs inclusive cheer team — the Springfield Sparkles Inclusive Cheer Team. Any K-12 student receiving special needs education services in the district can join in the high school cheerleading fun and root alongside the Springfield High School Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleading team!

SPRINGFIELD SPARKLES SPREADING SPARTAN SPIRIT

The Springfield Sparkles Inclusive Cheer Team began in the fall season of 2009-’10 to help mentor anyone receiving special needs education services from kindergarten to 12th grade (or age 22) to participate in high school cheerleading. Each member has a Sparkle Buddy to coach them throughout the school year, encouraging boys and girls alike to spread cheer. Their hope is that the spirit will spread not only to other students but beyond the bounds of school and enter into homes, workplaces and the community around them!

Their team is made up of boys and girls with a variety of diagnoses and abilities and coaches who encourage everyone to cheer on the Spartans! The coaches also ensure every cheerleader is comfortable while actively participating in cheering on their athletes.

ADAPTING CHEERS AND DANCES FOR ALL MEMBERS

The Springfield Sparkles bring their A-game to make every game day, community event and exhibition are inclusive for all its members! They do this by adapting their cheers and dances so everyone has an opportunity to bring the spirit to the crowd. One way they’ve accomplished this is by providing picture booklets to show the kids how to perform the moves. It’s been an absolute game changer, having a visual aid as they imitate the moves. This method has reinforced the moves in a way that helps the kids better remember routines!

Another way they’ve kept inclusion at their center is by adapting other ways to include members. For instance, they’ve acquired a tricycle for one of their students. He performs by riding the tricycle with the Sparkle flag attached to the bike. The crowd goes wild! Another student uses a communication device to talk with teammates and start cheers and chants!

SPARKLES SHOW THAT BEING DIFFERENT IS BEAUTIFUL

The Sparkle team cheers at all home varsity football and junior varsity basketball games, having incredible support from the Springfield High School Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleaders. These cheerleaders have developed friendships with the Sparkle team, as well as witnessing major progress!

Here’s the impact this squad has had on high school senior Malachi: “I recently witnessed a moment with one of our senior male cheerleaders that made everything seem right in the world at that very moment. It was as if time had stopped. Malachi attended the Homecoming Bonfire, where all senior fall athletes were recognized. Despite Malachi having a hearing impairment, Malachi relies on sign language and picture cards to communicate during cheerleading events. But during the bonfire, when all athletes gathered around the fire to sing our Alma Mater, it was the first time that I saw Malachi independently join in; a football player put his arm around Malachi as they both swayed back to the rhythm of our Alma Mater. It was truly a moment in time that I will never forget, he felt like “one of the boys.” This was truly an inclusive moment and the reason that we spread awareness. His grandmother witnessed it at the same time that I did, and it brought tears to her eyes. Inclusion wins!” — Terry K.

The school district is being impacted by the Sparkles every day. In 2018, one of the Sparkles’ former cheerleaders won the title of Homecoming Queen! She’s now a volunteer coach for the Sparkles, helping support this organization that has been thriving for the last 12 years.

SUPPORT THE SPARKLES AT THEIR SPIRIT SPARK-TACULAR SHOWCASE

The Springfield Sparkles Inclusive Cheer Team has supported so many different events and organizations these last few years. They’ve helped support the Summit and Stark County Autism Walks — raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder — and The Buddy Walk — raising awareness about Down Syndrome. In 2017, they partnered up with the Cleveland Cavaliers Spirit Squad, dance squad and their hip-hop dancers, The Scream Team.

With all the change they spark in the community, we can help support the Sparkles with their cause! Join in supporting the Sparkles at their annual event dubbed the “Spirit Spark-tacular Showcase” on Feb. 25, 2023. Special needs and inclusive dance teams from all over Northeast Ohio come to this event, where funds and donations are accepted to help purchase adapted equipment, uniforms and more for their team members!

“I would also like to encourage all districts to develop inclusive teams or clubs spreading inclusion and opportunities for students with different abilities,” says Terry Kyser from the Springfield Sparkles Inclusive Cheer Team. “Make a difference! Volunteer to start something within your district, talk to your Special Education Directors and Superintendents; it is such a positive experience for the community as well.”

Join us for their Spirit Spark-tacular Showcase event on Feb. 25, 2023, to support and celebrate the Sparkles, and follow us on Facebook (@snl. cak) for updates on this event and so much more!