Boise cheerleader with Down syndrome inspires teammates

by Ashley M. Williams from USA Today:
Rachel Massingale, a cheerleader for Centennial High School in Boise, is doing more than just firing up crowds -- she's inspiring them.
Rachel, who has Down syndrome, has proved to all those around her what's possible when you're determined to reach your goals. Cheerleading coach Melissa Casey says not only has she been able to learn 52 cheers, but she "has even added her own little spirit to them."
Her teammates praise her for her incredible passion and the joy that she brings to everyone .
"I am very inspired by Rachel; I think she's taught us all a lot," teammate Mika Muta told KTVB. "She always gives 100%."

Truman Cheerleader Brings Unmatched Enthusiasm

by Justin Sampson from St. Joe Channel:
(ST. JOSEPH) Fourteen-year-old Aliyah Hall, an eighth grader at Truman Middle School, enjoys staying active, like many teenagers, with things like swimming and basketball.
Also like many children, she was born with down sydnrome.
"I really can't explain it to you, but it was something that I just knew," Aliyah's mother, Laurie, said. "After she was born, it was more of a confirmation for me."
An avid dancer as well, Aliyah quickly took a shine to the Truman cheer squad when she got to middle school and wanted to be a part of it. It was something Laurie wasn't sure about at first, given that Truman had never had a special needs cheerleader before.
"I shared my concerns because not everyone deals with special needs children the say way. They were awesome. They really embraced her."

Avon Park cheerleader brings special touch to team

by Pavalli Agarwal from Highlands Today:

AVON PARK - In many ways, Mackenzie Riffle is a regular, bubbly 16-year-old high school girl.

She can talk incessantly about boys, likes to laze around in front of the TV, especially when Nick Teen's "H2O" and Fox Network's "Glee" show is on, and loves to cheer for the Avon Park High School varsity cheerleading team.

But in other respects, she's a little different and, perhaps, a lot more special to her cheer captain and longtime friend Caylie Wall and the school's varsity cheer coach Tammy Williams.

Mackenzie, who has been going to dance classes since she was a child and can do killer splits, has Down Syndrome.

School told mom her daughter, cheerleader with Down Syndrome, is a 'liability'

 
by Pooja Lodhia from ABC13:DEER PARK, TX (KTRK) -- She's one of her team's biggest fans. A high school cheerleader in Deer Park who has overcome so much in her life, living with Down Syndrome. Now her family wants answers after they say she was told to move away from the sidelines at their last game.Freshman Brittany Davila, 16, has Down Syndrome. But she's been a cheerleader for years, first for her junior high, and now for Deer Park High School."That's her favorite thing to do," said Brittany's mother, Buffy Davila. "She doesn't understand why they're telling her she can't do it. I don't know how to explain it to her."Davila turned to Eyewitness News after she says Deer Park officials complained."She cheered last week at the volleyball game," said Davila. "Then yesterday we went and it was a different coach, and now she can't do it because it's a liability."