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VUHS Cheerleaders Bring Home 4th State Championship

photo provided Four Time Champion Division Two State Cheerleading Champs

Tuesday March 3, 2009

By Cookie Steponaitis

    For those of you who would like “LOUD” and want an electric atmosphere, then the Essex Fair Grounds on Saturday, February 21st was just the place for you. Gathered together in one venue was over twenty-six cheerleading teams and over 3000 fans who were carrying signs, wearing school colors and there to support “ THEIR” team. Scheduled to appear in divisions based on the school size, Division 1, 2 & 3 cheerleading teams each presented a three minute routine blending dance, gymnastics, stunts, pyramids, cheers, and much more. The Vergennes Union High School (VUHS) team not only prepared for the state championships with hours of practice, but cheered for twenty home games for the boys and girls basketball teams. Leading the Commodore squad to its fourth consecutive win and sixth state championship in VUHS history was head coach Deb Hall and assistant coach Dani Hausler.

    Hall, who joined the Commodore coaching staff in 2002 as the JV cheerleading coach took over the varsity team in 2004 taking the team to four wins in a row.

    “We cheer from the heart,” she remarked about this year’s team and their style and approach. “We concentrate on the skills needed, but always keep in our mind the amazing support of our parents, fans, booster clubs, athletic director and community. When the team takes the floor at states and can look up and witness a sea of blue and white, they know they are appreciated.”

    Also leading the team, senior Dana O’Brien has earned a unique honor and a spot in the sports history of her school. She came to cheerleading when Coach Hall arrived in 2002 and is the only VUHS athlete to be on four consecutive champion teams of any kind. While the sport of cheerleading is definitely a team sport and requires complete teamwork to achieve the tumbling and stunting in the routines, Coach Hall referred to senior O’Brien as “a rock” and feels that many people outside of the sport do not understand or appreciate the time, training and dedication of these athletes. “I can not tell you how many people each year say to me, I can do a split so can I be a cheerleader, or it’s not like it’s a real sport you know. The reality is very different. Not only does the Vermont Principal’s Association recognize cheerleading as a sanctioned sport, but the VUHS community made that distinction over 25 years ago.”

    Hall is quick to credit her feeder program and other coaches for helping her bring home wins to the Commodore fans. “When I started coaching, I was told time and time again that in order to build your program you have to do two things. You have to start a youth program and you have to attend training camps held by national organizations. Since 2002 we have established a K-3 program and a 4-6th grade program that is open to all students in the district. It is run through the Boys & Girls Club. We also have a Middle School program that is coached by former VUHS cheerleader Kaylee Cota, who this year had a team of over twenty five. We attend camps every summer and have traveled to different parts of Vermont and Massachusetts. This past summer we were a host site for a national camp and had schools attend here in Vergennes from all over Vermont and New York.”

    While the team was treated to a fire truck and police cruiser escort through the streets of Vergennes late Saturday night, the real impact of the newest championship is still months away. “This summer,” commented Coach Hall, “our Varsity team will serve as instructors for youth camps and programs for children from around the five town district. Faces will light up and a new generation will make healthy choices, learn about physical fitness, teamwork and will look up and reach out to the high school team who is their coaches. That will in turn cement the dedication and the excitement of the next year’s team who will look ahead with a goal and the bar will be set high.” While the winter sports season is far from finished with wrestling and basketball state championships yet to be played out this week and next, one can find VUHS’s newest champions in their place, on the sidelines, encouraging, supporting and even dazzling the fans with a mixture of dance, stunt, tumbling, jumps, and just plain old fashioned spirit. The entire VUHS community salutes the 2009 Division Two State Cheerleading Champions and supports what we already knew and the state just formally recognized - VUHS has something to cheer about!

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