Young people with special needs are often underestimated. Too often, people see only what they cannot do. Cheerleading has experienced a resurgence of popularity across the United States and, although cheerleading squads exist for those with special needs, they are few and far between. More significantly, virtually all of the teams currently in existence are affiliated with All-Star gyms, which are adult-led, segregated, and operated outside of the high school community. These programs provide a step in the right direction, but they offer no opportunities for high school-aged students with special needs to cheer for and with their peers at school sporting events. Students with disabilities don’t just want to cheer. They want to fit in. They want to stand on the football field and on the basketball court side by side with their peers and show their school spirit.

Our program is completely youth-led, youth-staffed, and youth-driven, and is fully integrated into the high school sports program. During the season, we practice with our Sparkles two times each week, and they cheer with us at pre and post game and at half-time to packed crowds and standing ovations. 

We know that this wave of goodness that started with ten special girls practicing in the cafeteria and then swept across our high school campus and town, could quickly and easily reach into virtually every high school in the country. We believe that the time has come for high schools nationwide to make more room at the table for students with special needs – to include those students in mainstream sports programming wherever and whenever possible. The obvious and ideal first step: include students with disabilities on high school cheerleading squads. Cheerleading can be easily adapted to varying skill levels, can include both boys and girls, and is centered on raising spirit. What better way to raise everyone’s spirits than to include children with special needs on the cheer team?

The task of starting your own squad may seem overwhelming. That’s why we created “The Sparkle Effect.” Here’s how it works: On this website you will find a downloadable “QuickStart” program. With a few inputs, you can generate your own material to start your own “Sparkles” squad. The kit includes an introductory letter, a 12-step model for starting your own squad, a sample letter to administrators, a sample promotional flyer, recommendations for effective practices, fundraising ideas, and so much more. This is a complete program produced with a few keystrokes. We have paired this with a few inspirational videos of our team in action and an on-line forum for answering questions and trouble-shooting issues. The result: any high school cheerleader in the country interested in starting a program similar to our own will have the tools to do so.

We know first-hand that high school cheerleaders are a spirited, energetic and compassionate bunch and we believe passionately in the power of this program. Help us to spread the Sparkle Effect to high schools across America!