Area cheerleaders raise money for charity ahead of competition

OLD TOWN, Maine — Spectators squeezed into the J.A. Leonard Middle School gymnasium on Wednesday while cheerleaders stirred with frantic energy, trying to quell pre-show jitters and running through their routines one last time before the big showcase. 

Old Town’s cheer team members perform a stunt during their showcase on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Old Town’s cheer team members perform a stunt during their showcase on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Old Town’s cheer team members perform a stunt during their showcase on Wednesday, Jan. 15. (Nina Mahaleris | The Penobscot Times)

Since 2015, local cheer teams have met to put on a performance for the community before heading off to competition. It’s just for fun, said Old Town High School Cheer Coach Nicole Hogan, but a flurry of excitement still seemed to roll over the athletes as they prepared to hit the mat. 

Cheerleaders from Old Town Middle School showed up hours early to practice their routines, have dinner together and do team-bonding activities to get ready for the show. Old Town High School cheerleaders who regularly compete staked out their own corner of the gym, eagerly awaiting their turn. 

Julie Van Steenberghe, former Old Town cheerleader and current Miss Maine USA, also attended the event to support the teams. Van Steenberghe currently co-coaches the J.A. Leonard Middle School cheer team. 

Two teams with the Maine Cheer Academy also came from Bradley to perform. 

The showcase is Hogan’s brainchild, who started it five years ago for the athletes. It’s something fun to do that brings the community together, she said. Spectators watching from beyond the mat also get to vote for their favorite teams and support their athletes. 

The event has another special bonus, too. A portion of the proceeds from the night is donated to a charitable cause, Hogan said. Most often, they give money to Courageous Steps, a non-profit organization that supports children and young adults with developmental challenges. 

Maine Cheer Academy coaches direct cheerleaders as they perform during a showcase on Wednesday, Jan. 15. (Nina Mahaleris | The Penobscot Times )

Last year, they raised money to help Dylan Street, an Old Town-Orono hockey player who was hospitalized in Boston last year for an infection. Street has a rare illness called hydrocephalus, an inflammation of the brain that can cause swelling and bleeding. 

Unlike a competition with teams facing off against one another, the showcase brings the community together to celebrate local athletes while giving them a chance to demonstrate their skills. 

While the routines weren’t executed perfectly, Hogan explained that the whole purpose of the showcase was for the cheerleaders to just enjoy the night and have fun. The Old Town High School cheer team will perform next at its PVC competition at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Presque Isle High School.