The Titan Stars, a program that gives students with special needs an opportunity to cheer with the JV cheerleaders, is continuing its second consecutive year.

According to Alyson VanderPlas, JV cheerleading coach, the eight Titan Stars began practicing last November with the JV cheerleaders.

“[At practice,] basically we separate in groups and we teach [the Titan Stars] some cheers and we fix [the cheers] a little bit so they will be able to do the cheers with us,” JV cheerleader Ale Garcia said. “We also taught them jumps and stuff so [the Titan Stars] can look more like cheerleaders and feel comfortable with us.”

The Titan Stars, which include Jackie Garcia, Suzy Gvero, Melissa Moya, Angie Nash, Ana Ramos, Leyda Ramos, Nina Santacrose, and Ally VanSchindel, perform at three basketball games, one of which took place last December.

“For the [upcoming Feb. 10] game, the JV cheerleaders, varsity cheerleaders and Titan Stars will cheer the entire game on the sidelines,” VanderPlas said. “At halftime, JV poms, JV cheerleaders, and the Titan Stars will do a JV poms routine.”
The JV poms halftime performance is a new addition to the program this year.

“I think after working with anyone, […], [the JV poms] will become better dancers because they are teaching
someone else and anytime you teach you become more knowledgeable in whatever skill or trade you are trying to teach,” Kelli McDonald, JV Poms coach, said.

VanderPlas explained the program benefits both the Titan Stars and JV cheerleaders.

“For the cheerleaders, they learn a whole new world that they have never been a part of before,” she said. “[…] For the Titan Stars, it gives them the opportunity […] to be involved in something they wouldn’t have been involved in.”

Similarly, JV cheerleader Minji Will feels the program is equally rewarding.

“It’s a lot of fun for us [and] for [the Titan Stars],” Will said. “They learn cheers and get better at cheerleading and so do we. We all grow as a team and bond closer together.”

After participation in this program last year, JV cheerleader Sylvia Glowik was inspired to join peer mentoring this year.
“I think I will become a special ed. teacher  [after] seeing all of [the Titan Stars],” Glowik said. “I love helping [them] and I think it is great to see them grow and develop.”