CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Chesterfield high school is trying to recruit girls with disabilities for a special cheerleading team as part of the Sparkle Effect project.
Cosby High School has started a cheerleading team through the National program called The Sparkle Effect. The organization helps students nationwide create school-based cheerleading and dance teams that bring together students with and without disabilities.
The Sparkle Effect team cheers with the Cosby cheerleaders.
“It was a beautiful and public symbol of acceptance and diversity to see these girls and the Cosby cheerleaders together on the sidelines!” Tammy Burns said in a Facebook post she made about recruiting team members.
Burns tells 8News that she got involved in getting the word out about the program because her son, who has autism, is one of the managers for the Cosby football team. She said the team was having trouble letting others know about the fairly new program, so she took it upon herself to aid in promoting.
“This provides a great opportunity on both sides for friendships to be made as ALL of the cheerleaders spend time learning from each other in practices and in games,” Tammy Burns said about the program.
As of now, there are three girls involved with the team who cheered at last Friday’s football game. The team needs at least four total to be a part of the national Sparkle Effect program. The girls can be from any high school in Chesterfield County.
If you know someone who wants to get involved, contact Cosby Varsity Cheer Coach Megan DeLuccia by emailing her at megan_deluccia@ccpsnet.net.
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