WESTFIELD-Bombernation flourishes across the city – especially at the Westfield Youth Football level with its biggest supporters – Westfield Youth Cheer.
On Tuesday night at Westfield High School, close to 100 children in Grades 1 through 8 were practicing their cheers, jumps and stunts on one of the fields as their families looked on.
Members of the 2016 Westfield Youth Cheer pose Tuesday night at Westfield High School prior to rehearsal.
The primary goal of the Westfield Youth Cheer Program, a subdivision of Westfield Youth Football, is to support and unite the community. Additionally, cheerleaders perform at exhibitions, attend special events like the Westfield Day Parade at the Eastern States Exposition, and have the opportunity to compete. On Oct. 22, an exhibition is planned at West Springfield High School which will feature teams from across the region hoping to win the “Spirit Stick.”
“The team that wins the Spirit Stick can host next fall’s event,” said Kim Starsiak, Cheer coordinator.
Starsiak noted that the boys and girls who have volunteered their time to cheer for the Westfield Youth Football program are dedicated and understand the importance of mandatory practice attendance.
“Cheer combines strength, grace and agility in dance, cheer, tumbling and stunting,” said Starsiak, adding the top reasons for cheer is to build unity and support the team.
Kim Starsiak ends the Pee Wee cheerleading practice with “Pee Wees Rock!”
Practices twice a week are under the direction of Starsiak and a host of coaches and assistant coaches who are eager to see the young people learn and grow in their skills. Practices are designed to teach the skills required for safe performances at games, exhibitions and other cheer events.
Children cheer at all home games which are played at Bullens Field as well as away games in the surrounding towns.
“I have so much fun with them,” said Starsiak, who is also head coach of the Pee Wee Team along with Coach Susanne Crowley and assistant coach Abby Cervonayco. “We laugh, giggle, learn, and grow all as a team.”
The feeling was mutual across all divisions of the cheering squads.
Practice makes perfect for Westfield Youth Cheer participants.
“It’s fun to cheer,” said Rebecca Dixon, a member of the Junior Team. “We also get to do cart wheels which are my favorite thing to do.”
Amir Kashouh, one of two boys who participate in Westfield Youth Cheer, wanted to get involved because of the close-knit family atmosphere.
“My sister cheers on the Junior Team and the whole group is definitely a family,” said Kashouh, who is a member of the Senior Team. “Everyone is very close and you get to make a lot of friends.”
Christopher Robles, a member of the Junior Team, said simply “I love it” when asked about his participation in Westfield Youth Cheer.
Jada Laiho, a member of the Senior Team, also echoed the sentiments of other cheerleaders.
“The best part of Westfield Youth Cheer is making new friends and doing fun stuff,” said Laiho.
Young people are also given responsibilities as they mature within Westfield Youth Cheer, and one of the captains, Aliviya Starsiak of the Junior Team, was eager to share her enthusiasm about her role.
Coaches and assistant coaches are instrumental in keeping rehearsals on track.
“Cheerleading is a natural extension of dance which I love,” said Starsiak. “I started on the Pee Wee Team and now as a Junior Team captain, I am a helper to guide children who are struggling.”
For Samarah Watson, a member of the Pee Wee Team, she wanted to be a part of Westfield Youth Cheer to “meet new people” and because “I like Miss Kim (Starsiak); she’s a good teacher.”
The next scheduled home game for Westfield Youth Football and its biggest supporters is Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. at Bullens Field.
The Senior Cheer Team, under the direction of coach Craigen Laiho, and assistant coaches Samantha Bernier, Katie Loiko, Sam Laplante, and Abby Cervonayco are: Olivia Friend, Rylee Labonte, Sarah Shoemaker, Solimar Navarro, Sujailee Rosado, Taylor Bard, Vanessa Crowley, Caylee Carter, Emily Usher, Isabel Persuitte, Jada Laiho, Jaidyn LaFountain, Jasmine Loya, Kara Dougherty, Katie Breck, Kayleigh Hoar, Kelsey Spiller, Lexi Monczka, Makaylee Munger, Melanie Burek, Morgan Holcomb., Abigail Balser, Alaina Raco, Alyssa Wiatrowski, Amir Kashouh, Arianna Granger, Audrey Cowles, and Catherine Stevens. Seniors are in Grades 6 through 8.
The Junior Cheer Team, under the direction of coaches Shelley Coach and Amy Lefebvre, and assistant coaches Wendy Backholm, Cynthia Olivo, Frankie Drewnowski and Karma Keleher, are: Rylee Backholm, Sadie Salois, Sophia Cowles, Tori Szczepanek, Jenna Malave, Julianna Garcia, Kaitlyn Garcia, Kalee Conner, Kiley Dougherty, Lucia Dimino, Mackensy Baldasaro, Alexandra Benoit, Alexis Barber, Aliviya Starsiak, Amani Kashouh, Anaya Olivo, Andrianna Moore, Audrey Leonard, Cayleene Roche, Madison Robare, Melanie Szczepanek, Mikayla Loya, Natalia Thorne, Nevaeh Costa, Olivia Granholm, Rebecca Dixon, Riley McDonnell, Christina Peterson, Christopher Robles, Deirdre Connally, Deliani Benitez, Eibhlinn White, Elizabeth Coach, Fallon Boze, Isabella Tallon, and Charisma Kelleher. Juniors are in Grades 3 through 5.
The Pee Wee Cheer Team, under the direction of Starsiak, Crowley and Cervonayco are: Olivia Barker, Riley Young, Samantha Benoit, Samarah Watson, Sienna Page, Sophia Kotarski,
Colleen Cain, Elizabeth Nawskon, Emma Callan, Emmaleigh Cowles, Ericka Kovalski, Grace Gauger, Kyleigh Szczepanek, Laila Pacheco, Lily Hoar, Matilyn Burl, Mia Dimino, Mia Houser, Natalie Crowley, Olivia Barker, Riley Young, Allyson Small, Amanda Clemeno, Andee Lavner, Arden Sullivan, Aubree Brock, Breanna Mcnamara, Brianna Melo, and Charlie Luisgnan. Pee Wees are in Grades 1 and 2.
Parents interested in enrolling their children in Westfield Youth Football or Westfield Youth Cheer for the 2017 season can visit www.westfieldyouthfootball.org or www.westfieldyouthcheer.org for more details.
For Craigen Laiho, a Westfield Youth Cheer coach for three years, she recommends the program because it is an “awesome experience for kids, especially when they can cheer for their brothers on the football team.”
Starsiak added that one of the greatest joys she receives from her volunteer involvement is the joy and pride the cheerleaders have for themselves.
“They are all amazing young people,” said Starsiak. “I love to see them later in life and hear how many awesome memories they have and know I had a hand in that. They give me way more joy than I could ever give them.”
