RECREATION DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
It is only fitting, that we
begin the 2004 report by extending a sincere "THANK YOU" to all those
400+ volunteers who dedicated more that 20,000 hours of volunteer service to
the youth of this community. We applaud
their efforts in teaching our youth good sportsmanship, while also, dealing
with many of the social pressures placed on our youth today.
In 2004, we entered our ninth
year of operation of Pine Knoll Recreation Area. We saw an increase in the number attending
our "Activity Centers" we continue to average of 160 per session with
some sessions reaching maximum capacity only a few weeks into the registration
period. Use of the buildings, for special
events, included birthday parties, civic group picnics and local nursery school
graduation continued to increase whereby almost each weekend during the summer
some group had reserved the area. We
continue to work on renovations of buildings as needed. Our goal continues to be one of having this
facility used on a year round basis.
Our
"Mail-In-Registration" policy continues to be a popular method of
registering for programs. Brochures of
activities, which include seasonal program information were printed and
distributed in September and May. Additional
program information was distributed, as needed, to residents through the
Schools, Library, The Reminder, and the Recreation Office when new programs
were developed. We continue to use the
"East Longmeadow Cable Channel" which carries important information
about programs not carried in our brochures.
We have developed our web page, which includes program updates as
needed. Registration forms and Medical
History forms can be downloaded from any computer allowing; along with
aforementioned Mail-In-Registration allows virtually 24/7 accesses to the
ability to register for programs.
The Recreation Commission
continues to evaluate both the facilities used and programs offered. Our "Goal" is to continue all
direct costs of programs offered, while keeping in mind that some fees could
pose a financial burden upon large families.
Programs will remain to be open to all who wish to participate and we
will offer financial assistance when necessary.
The Recreation Commission
would like to "THANK" all the other town Boards and Commissions for
their continued support and cooperation.
In conclusion, as we enter the New Year, we eagerly await the challenges
and continued growth in programs and facilities.
Respectfully submitted:
Richard Paige, Chair
Nancy Roberts, 1st Vice Chair
Michael O’Neill, 2nd Vice Chair
Faith Leahy
Richard Matuszczak
Steven Beaumier
Vincent Scordino
(resigned)
Paul Nardi
John O’Heir
Michael Salvon
2004 Cheerleading Report
The
2004 cheerleading season actually began last April, with practices and tryouts
being held at Birchland
Park Middle
School.
The girls, ranging from 2nd through 7th grades,
learned cheers, jumps, stunts and a dance for tryouts. They then focused their efforts and energy on
practices for the July 4th Parade.
All three squads attended the NECA Cheerleading Camp at Western New England College
in July. The girls sharpen their skills,
learned many new cheers, stunts, and dance routines. Top honors at the camp went to Shelby
Anderson (2nd place) and Megan Forest (4th place), Best
All- Around Intermediate Division, and Sarah Prats (1st
place), Best All-Around Novice Division.
Other awards presented went to Leah Maclure,
Catherine Becker, and Christa Smith (Most Improved); Jessica Grigely, Julie Merino, Brianna Evans, Krystal
Garofolo, and Sara Prats
(Best Jumps); and Sarah Prats, Shelby Andreson, and Jillian O’Melia
(Best Gymnasts). The Senior Squad
received a trophy for Most Dedicated Team.
The Pee Wee and Junior Squads won the Personality Projection Award, and
were 3rd place Grand Champs in the Novice Division. Members of the Senior Squad received a 1st
place award for the Top Gun Stunts in the Intermediate Division. Jessica Grigely
received a trophy for the Best Talent during the camp Talent
Showcase for all divisions. Shelby
Anderson and Meghan Forest also qualified to perform at the National
Scholarship Invitational and Pro Bowl Performance Tour in Hawaii.
On November 13th, all three squads performed
at the annual Suburban Cheerleading Exhibition, held at Longmeadow High School. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the
coaches, junior assistant coaches, and girls, they performed outstanding
routines. Congratulations to all of the
Suburban Cheerleaders! You should all be
very proud of yourselves.
On behalf, of the Suburban Cheerleading Program, I would
like to thank everyone involved; coaches, assistant coaches, junior assistant
coaches, parent volunteers, and last but not least, the cheerleaders. Thank you to all the parents for sharing
their daughters with us every week, and for driving them to practices and
games. Finally, a great big thank you to
Carol Shank and John Whalen of the East Longmeadow Recreation Department for
their continued support over the last three years. Unfortunately, I have had to resign my
position as Coordinator for personal reasons.
I wish everyone involved with the program all the best, and for many
years of continued success.
The 2004 Suburban Cheerleading
Squads were as follows:
Senior Squad: Shelby Anderson, Paige Bailey,
Calli Basile, Claire Dion,
Meghan Forest, Krystal Garofalo,
Caitlin Goudreau, Starrett
Houghton, Brianna Kaye, Julianne Merino, Jillian O’Melia,
Christa Smith, Danielle Theberge, and Afton
Young. Head Coach –
Jessica Flagg; Assistant Coach – Debra Forest;
Junior Assistant Coaches – Tina Sgueglia and Nina Clini.
Junior Squad:
Catherine Becker, Emily Bliss, Alyssa Celentano,
Renee DiFiore, Holly Framarin,
Jessica Grigely, Alexia Kallaugher,
Lauren Lowney, Caitlin Marino, Julia Morneau, Katy Packard, Deanna Pellegrino, Sarah Prats, Nicole Robitaille, Erin
Simon, and Savannah Trombley. Head Coach – Lois Grigely;
Assistant Coach – Patty Wholley; Junior Assistant
Coaches – Erin Schnepp and Bridgit
Fradette.
Pee Wee Squad:
Antoinette Brown, Ilena Burnett, Alexandra Calvanese, Erin Craft, Kate Elmendorf, Brianna Evans,
Danielle Graziano, Angelica Houghton, Octavia Kenney,
Leah Maclure, Annalisa Mazza, Syndney Richard, Mia Sgueglia, Brianne Slade, Jennie Szynkaruk, Gabrielle Vega, Sarah Venn, and Jordon Walezak. Head Coach
– Christine Sgueglia; Assistant Coach – Lori Venn and
Cathy Vega; Junior Assistant Coaches – Justine Gelzinis
and Elizabeth Moirano.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Grigely,
Suburban Cheerleading Coordinator
