The Crestwood Varsity Cheer squad has been invited to perform at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida in January 2024. According to Jessica Irvine, Head Cheer Coach, the squad earned this honor in a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) competition at Bowling Green State University during the summer. “Each day, the girls were evaluated on what they learned,” Irvine explained. “And each day, the squad earned a blue superior ribbon for their performance.” She continued, “At the end of the camp, they received a Superior Squad Award and were invited to perform at the Citrus Bowl.”
The college bowl game will be held on January 2nd in Orlando, Florida. The ladies will arrive early to learn material and work with other cheer squads from around the country. The ensemble will then perform at the half-time show – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the young women. And since COVID prevented many of the teammates from attending countless school trips, this honor holds special significance.
To help make this dream a reality, the group is holding fundraisers to help reduce the cost of sending all thirteen members of the varsity cheer squad to the Citrus Bowl in January. Prior to the start of school, the folks from Maggie’s Donuts & More teamed up with Crestwood Cheerleaders at the Community Pep Rally to assist the Cheer Squad in reaching this goal.
At the Community Per Rally, the Cheer Squad shared a booth and a mission with the team at Maggie’s, selling half-dozen boxes of Maggie’s donuts to those in attendance. The money raised was shared among the cheer squad and Maggie’s & More, a local non-profit organization.
According to Maggie’s & More founder Abra Schweickert, “The cheer squad met our team earlier in the week to learn first-hand about our mission to offer differently-abled adults a meaningful place of employment within their community.” She noted that on Wednesday prior to the Community Rally, the Cheer Squad joined the team at Maggie’s to help the shop’s customers and to learn firsthand what the “More” part of the local establishment means.
That day, Maggie’s team members shared their skills with the cheer squad, showing them how to man the color-coded cash register, pack donuts, make coffee, prepare smoothies and create breakfast sandwiches. The young women from Crestwood witnessed the expert ways the Maggie’s team members interacted with customers, and learned first-hand how people with intellectual or developmental disabilities find success and satisfaction through their work.
Financially, according to Schweickert, it was the highest grossing Wednesday on record. But the gains were far greater than just financial. Crestwood cheerleader Bree shared that the Maggie’s team was enjoyable to work with. “They were very versatile, and knew every step,” her teammate Emma added, “They were teaching us.” That same collaboration worked well at the Community Pep Rally, as well, where not surprisingly, the team sold all 40 boxes of Maggie’s donuts.
More than just a financial collaboration, the cheer squad began building relationships with the Maggie’s team. Maggie’s teammates will attend several Red Devil’s home football games to sell donuts, watch football, and more importantly, see their new cheer squad friends perform.
Future collaborations include a formal dress boutique, where no-longer-needed dresses will be collected and merchandised to find new life and create affordable options for local students. Dress and accessory donations will be accepted at Maggie’s & More during regular business hours beginning now.
A boutique will be open on the premises during early spring, where shoppers may select a prom dress for a $50 donation. To find out more about the dress boutique, call Maggie’s & More at (330) 977-9009.
To make a financial donation the help fund the Cheer Squad’s trip to the Citrus Bowl, contact Erica Irvine at eirvine@crestwoodschools.org.
