Last year I was asked to write feature story for my journalism class. One of my passions is cheerleading and gymnastics as I am a member of East Coast Nitros in Middletown. I decided to focus my story on our special needs team, Heroes. Take a look:
Always A Hero
After Mikayla and Brittany have a heated debate over which one of them has the bigger crush on a boy named Barry, the music begins and so do the two girls. Grinning from ear to ear Mikayla pays close attention to each eight count being yelled aloud. Keeping her hands pressed to her side, she takes off from the corner of the bright blue mat in a perfect diagonal line, anticipating the somersault she does proudly all by herself.
Following her somersault is a triumphant, “Ta-Da,” which she says every time, rising up off the mat, standing tall and throwing her arms in the air with excitement. This is her favorite part. Each time she moves to the next position she gives the crowd a huge wave with both hands.
Next is Brittany’s turn. She begins running from the opposite corner of the mat preparing for her unassisted round-off. She reaches out in front of her placing her hands inches apart. Her legs swing over and come together hitting the mat at the same time. Even upside down Brittany still has a smile on her face.
Memorization of each position comes with hours of practice. Anytime Mikayla hears music; her routine follows even when she is in the car. Her strong muscular arms guide her teammate into the air for their full-blown pyramid. She is focused and careful not to drop to the ground. When the pyramid is stable, Mikayla turns her head and shows off a smile of achievement.
Next is Brittany’s turn. She begins running from the opposite corner of the mat preparing for her unassisted round-off. She reaches out in front of her placing her hands inches apart. Her legs swing over and come together hitting the mat at the same time. Even upside down Brittany still has a smile on her face.
Memorization of each position comes with hours of practice. Anytime Mikayla hears music; her routine follows even when she is in the car. Her strong muscular arms guide her teammate into the air for their full-blown pyramid. She is focused and careful not to drop to the ground. When the pyramid is stable, Mikayla turns her head and shows off a smile of achievement.
“Mikayla loves the attention that she receives on and off the mat,” Michele Godwin, Mikayla’s mother says.
The music finally stops and so do Mikayla, Brittany and the rest of the team. Some are gasping for breath, but Mikayla is jumping up and down ready to run the routine again.
12 year-old Mikayla Buterbaugh was born with Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome. Brittany Hindt has autism, a complex developmental disability impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Neither one of these girls is seen by their disabilities, but by their abilities from coaches, parents and peers. Mikayla and Brittany are a part of The East Coast Nitros, a non-profit cheerleading organization located in Middletown, DE on one of the 16 teams in the organization called “Heroes.” This team was designed for children with special needs, like Mikayla and Brittany. Peer partners, also known as “buddies” are paired with some members on Heroes guiding them both on and off the mat, giving verbal cues during the routine. Since joining Heroes Mikayla has become a different person, her mother, Godwin says.
“She is much more outgoing and confident in groups outside of her inclusion friends,” Godwin says.
At practice Mikayla waits her turn patiently behind teammates. She steps on the mat and onto the trampoline. She is not hesitant or scared. Her legs spring up higher and higher with each bounce as she practices the jumps in her routine. She does her toe touch. Her legs are straddled and straight in front of her, parallel to the ground. Her toes, inside her blue and white sneakers are pointed and her hands are making fists. Mikayla does this jump several times before moving onto the next exercise.
“Due to her Down Syndrome, Mikayla has low muscle tone, but thanks to the excitement she feels towards cheerleading, she has been much better about jumping on the trampoline, thereby increasing not only her muscle tone but her endurance as well,” Godwin says.
Junior at St. George’s Technical High school, Alexis Foulk has been helping with Heroes as a “buddy” for one year now. At practice Foulk takes another Heroes member by the hand and guides the little girl to the correct position. Sitting cross-legged in front of her assigned buddy, Foulk begins to do the motions of the cheer as the little girl stares intently, mimicking her every motion and repeating it seconds after.
“Kids like this don't let anything stop them,” Foulk says. “They have this confidence about them that is truly amazing.”
Moving to the front and center of the mat for the dance routine is Brittany. She swings her hips from side-to-side as she grins and remains focused on each move. Mikayla stands in the very next row giving facials and working the routine. All of the sudden Mikayla drops to her knees, her little hands covering her face. Tears begin rolling down her rosy red cheeks as she glances up and says, “I miss my daddy.” Godwin steps on the mat, reaching out to Mikayla and giving her a giant hug and kiss.
“You need to do an extra good job and then daddy will be proud of you,” Godwin says.
Mikayla’s daddy died suddenly of unknown reasons on October 14, 2009 at the age of 37. Mikayla knew at the end of her weekly practice or competition she could call her daddy. This season things were different. Her daddy was not around and Mikayla focused really hard on doing well because he would be watching her from heaven, Godwin explained. These words set off a spark in Mikayla and she jumped up, ready to do her thing.
“My favorite part of being on Heroes is the new dance,” Mikayla says. “I like shaking my butt.”
Having Down Syndrome does not prohibit Mikayla from doing what any other cheerleader does at a practice or competition. Granted, her speech may not be as clear, her jumps as high or accurate as her typical peers, she has great mat presence and can truly dance.
“She really does shake her thing,” Godwin says.
Brittany’s mom, Tracy Hindt has three daughters all on different teams at Nitros and says it is a major commitment.
“A lot of time, travel and support are put into it,” Hindt says. “But in the end it is so rewarding watching your child perform.”
After Heroes’ performance at the 2010 Reach the Beach competition in Ocean City, MD there was not a dry eye in the entire venue as audience members from all over the country gave the team a standing ovation.
“I cry at every competition,” Godwin says. “I don’t know what it is. When those kids hit the mat they have such an amazingly emotional presence. They are out there doing their thing – and they make it look effortless and fun and non-stressful.”
At the awards ceremony at the competition Heroes stood anxiously waiting to hear their placement.
“The 2010 National Champions goes to…”
There was a long pause.
“East Coast Nitros Heroes,” the announcer shouted on the microphone.
Air horns went off, noise makers were shaking as every person in the convention center stood up once more congratulating the team. Mikayla and Brittany jumped up and down and then hugged, proud of one another. Each member received a medal to wear as they left the arena.
The music finally stops and so do Mikayla, Brittany and the rest of the team. Some are gasping for breath, but Mikayla is jumping up and down ready to run the routine again.
12 year-old Mikayla Buterbaugh was born with Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome. Brittany Hindt has autism, a complex developmental disability impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Neither one of these girls is seen by their disabilities, but by their abilities from coaches, parents and peers. Mikayla and Brittany are a part of The East Coast Nitros, a non-profit cheerleading organization located in Middletown, DE on one of the 16 teams in the organization called “Heroes.” This team was designed for children with special needs, like Mikayla and Brittany. Peer partners, also known as “buddies” are paired with some members on Heroes guiding them both on and off the mat, giving verbal cues during the routine. Since joining Heroes Mikayla has become a different person, her mother, Godwin says.
“She is much more outgoing and confident in groups outside of her inclusion friends,” Godwin says.
At practice Mikayla waits her turn patiently behind teammates. She steps on the mat and onto the trampoline. She is not hesitant or scared. Her legs spring up higher and higher with each bounce as she practices the jumps in her routine. She does her toe touch. Her legs are straddled and straight in front of her, parallel to the ground. Her toes, inside her blue and white sneakers are pointed and her hands are making fists. Mikayla does this jump several times before moving onto the next exercise.
“Due to her Down Syndrome, Mikayla has low muscle tone, but thanks to the excitement she feels towards cheerleading, she has been much better about jumping on the trampoline, thereby increasing not only her muscle tone but her endurance as well,” Godwin says.
Junior at St. George’s Technical High school, Alexis Foulk has been helping with Heroes as a “buddy” for one year now. At practice Foulk takes another Heroes member by the hand and guides the little girl to the correct position. Sitting cross-legged in front of her assigned buddy, Foulk begins to do the motions of the cheer as the little girl stares intently, mimicking her every motion and repeating it seconds after.
“Kids like this don't let anything stop them,” Foulk says. “They have this confidence about them that is truly amazing.”
Moving to the front and center of the mat for the dance routine is Brittany. She swings her hips from side-to-side as she grins and remains focused on each move. Mikayla stands in the very next row giving facials and working the routine. All of the sudden Mikayla drops to her knees, her little hands covering her face. Tears begin rolling down her rosy red cheeks as she glances up and says, “I miss my daddy.” Godwin steps on the mat, reaching out to Mikayla and giving her a giant hug and kiss.
“You need to do an extra good job and then daddy will be proud of you,” Godwin says.
Mikayla’s daddy died suddenly of unknown reasons on October 14, 2009 at the age of 37. Mikayla knew at the end of her weekly practice or competition she could call her daddy. This season things were different. Her daddy was not around and Mikayla focused really hard on doing well because he would be watching her from heaven, Godwin explained. These words set off a spark in Mikayla and she jumped up, ready to do her thing.
“My favorite part of being on Heroes is the new dance,” Mikayla says. “I like shaking my butt.”
Having Down Syndrome does not prohibit Mikayla from doing what any other cheerleader does at a practice or competition. Granted, her speech may not be as clear, her jumps as high or accurate as her typical peers, she has great mat presence and can truly dance.
“She really does shake her thing,” Godwin says.
Brittany’s mom, Tracy Hindt has three daughters all on different teams at Nitros and says it is a major commitment.
“A lot of time, travel and support are put into it,” Hindt says. “But in the end it is so rewarding watching your child perform.”
After Heroes’ performance at the 2010 Reach the Beach competition in Ocean City, MD there was not a dry eye in the entire venue as audience members from all over the country gave the team a standing ovation.
“I cry at every competition,” Godwin says. “I don’t know what it is. When those kids hit the mat they have such an amazingly emotional presence. They are out there doing their thing – and they make it look effortless and fun and non-stressful.”
At the awards ceremony at the competition Heroes stood anxiously waiting to hear their placement.
“The 2010 National Champions goes to…”
There was a long pause.
“East Coast Nitros Heroes,” the announcer shouted on the microphone.
Air horns went off, noise makers were shaking as every person in the convention center stood up once more congratulating the team. Mikayla and Brittany jumped up and down and then hugged, proud of one another. Each member received a medal to wear as they left the arena.
Now a year later I have grown close to Mikayla and her family. I make frequent visits to see Mikayla. She loves when I play Rock Band with her, paint her nails or color. She always greets me with a huge smile on her face and a head-popping hug. I am so grateful to have her in my life as she has taught me so much along the way.
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