The Newtown Nighthawks of Newtown Connecticut are shown above.
Two cheer teams from Newtown recently came in first place in their regional competition in Hartford, earning a chance to compete in the national competition in Florida on Dec. 14, 2013. Both wins were very unexpected according to organizers, and now there is very little time to raise the funds needed to travel to this national event.
Anyone who would like to donate funds to help members of these cheer teams get to their national competition can do so at http://www.gofundme.com/5g2wzk
For more on the overall organization, visit www.newtownyouthfootball.com
The team’s organizers sent the information below to explain what happened:
The big news came Saturday, Nov. 23, at the XL Center in Hartford. More than 150 cheerleading teams from all over New England competed to win the opportunity to move forward to the coveted AYC National Cheer Championships in Kissimmee, Fla.
Newtown’s cheer teams participate in the Newtown Youth Football and Cheer program. There are five cheer teams, four of which compete. All four competing teams have won trophies throughout this season and have had a great season, competing in the Colonial League Local Competition in October and the Connecticut State Competition earlier this month.
At the regional event, the Division 12 team of fifth- and sixth-grade girls, coached by Melissa Gordon, and the Division 15 team of eighth-grade girls, coached by Diane McCabe, both performed very well, both in the second session of the day. But earning a coveted invitation to nationals was uncertain, given the high level of competition at the event.
And for some of the girls, brand-new to cheerleading, it was their first time participating in any kind of competition, let alone one critiqued by a live panel of judges.
Back in August, these girls practiced 10 hours per week, performing rigorous conditioning, preparing to stunt, tumble and dance. Their level of trust and commitment to their teammates had to be extreme as they caught each other during routines. Despite a few setbacks, including a few injuries, the girls worked hard for their team and coaches.
For the D12 team, placing in this upcoming regionals competition was not even on the radar, given the 17-team lineup they’d be competing against. Nonetheless, the girls went into the competition with high spirits and put on their best show to bring their season to a close. When all of the 60 teams in their session had finished performing, it was time to announce the winning teams.
For D-12: “In 3rd place: Shelton, CT!…2nd place…Bedford, NH!….in 1st place: THE NEWTOWN NIGHTHAWKS!”
The Newtown parents and the Newtown Nighthawks Cheerleaders erupted into applause and cheering. D-12 had never won regionals before and here they were basking in their first and very important breakthrough win.
Just then the D-15 groupings were announced…”In 3rd place, Natick Redhawks… 2nd place, Ansonia Coppers… 1st Place: THE NEWTOWN NIGHTHAWKS!” shouted the announcer through the microphone that echoed into the 16,000-seat arena. Once again, the parent spectators’ section burst into cries of excitement and happy tears. Two Newtown teams had been awarded the highest prize: 1st place.
What a significant win for Newtown. Here it is 11 months after the most devastating tragedy shattered Newtown to its core. What a boost of hope, happiness and achievement spread through the girls and their families. Pride for Newtown was soaring.
Then the date was announced for the next competition: Dec. 14.
Interesting that the timing of the event will bring Newtown Cheer families together in Florida on the one-year anniversary, in the hopes of bringing home another win for the community. Hope lives. Love wins.
The Newtown Youth Football and Cheer board generously provides starter funds for participants traveling to the competition in Florida. Each cheerleader’s family is expected to pay for the remaining expenses relative to traveling to the competition. Given the competition’s timing, this is an unanticipated expense for these 60 families. The Cheer teams greatly appreciate donations of any denomination to their tax-deductible organization. Any donations will be pooled to help defray the cost of this unexpected but well-earned trip.
The website for donations is http://www.gofundme.com/5g2wzk
The organization: www.newtownyouthfootball.com
VP Newtown Youth Football & Cheer: Julie Luby
D12 Coaches: Melissa Gordon, Christine Vigneau, Lynn Lewis
D15 Coaches: Diane McCabe, Rhonda Timmons, Kim Baker, Lauren Samson
Questions about donating may be directed to Marianne Grenier or Kim Baker
Questions about the cheer program may be directed to Julie Luby.