As the South basketball team rushes down the court, cheers are heard not only from the crowd, but from the sidelines, where the inclusive, Titan Stars, stand.

Titan Stars is a dance and cheerleading team that includes members with and without disabilities who experience the thrill of cheering on South athletics, Caitlin Reichert, Titan Stars sponsor, said. The team gives students an athletic opportunity without the pressure of tryouts, performing to a certain standard, or developing an advanced skill set, Reichert said.

“I love seeing friendships form,” Reichert said. “The other coaches and I take a step back and let the peers be together.” 

The Titan Stars perform at select boys’ basketball games with the JV cheer team and at the Holiday Concert with the Varsity Titan Poms, Reichert said. The holiday concert is choreographed by the Varsity Poms team, who feature the Titan Stars in parts of the dance, senior Olivia Haravon, Varsity Poms Captain, said. 

“It is a great way for [students from the Special Education Department] to be included and showcase what they can do [in front of] an audience,” Haravon said. “They are always super confident and smiling throughout the whole thing.”

Stunts and routines are learned throughout the year and performed between the quarters of the JV basketball games, Reichert said. The team’s goal is to learn how to spot different stunts at practices and different cheers. 

“Our number one value is inclusivity,” Reichert said. “The competitive nature of athletics requires students to try out and they have to be able to perform [certain] skills. This is one of the only inclusive athletic opportunities for all students with disabilities to be able to participate in.”

The members of the Titan Stars team hold memories from their time performing. Senior Thomas Jachtorowycz, Titan Stars member, loved stunting between basketball game quarters.  

“I liked the time we cheered with the varsity cheerleaders last year during the varsity game, “ Jachtorowycz said. “It was spectacular.”

The Titan Stars program prides itself in giving students with disabilities a chance to be part of a sport and creating inclusive communities with the other cheer and dance teams, Reichert said. 

“You start to see friendships forming, and it starts to permeate throughout their school day, not just practices and games,” Reichert said.