| Aubrey Vargas cheers during the event. |
JERRY CITY – An annual cheerleading competition at Elmwood Schools became a fundraiser this year for a
2-year-old district resident.
Country Cheer Fest ’11, sponsored by the Elmwood cheerleaders, raised $1,303.50 for Aubrey Vargas,
daughter of Angelina Vargas and a niece of one of the cheerleaders.
Aubrey turned 2 in March, and at 2 months was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a blockage of the ducts
that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. She currently awaits a liver transplant.
Fundraisers at the fest included T-shirt sales (kelly green, the tot’s favorite color); the shirts said
"Fear Ends Where Faith Begins." The squad also held a 50-50 raffle, bake sale and themed
basket raffle, and sold "shout out" messages for the crowd. A portion of registration proceeds
also went to the youngster.
Funds raised will help the family pay for medical expenses.
High school cheerleaders participating at the event included Brianna Hammond, Sarah Laborie, Vanessa
Wagner, Christina Kern, Jenilee Myers, Ragan Yarnell, Brianna Heinze, Kelsey Steinman, Brandie Vargas,
Miranda Benschoter, Cori Borton, Kortney Gonyer, Patricia Holvey, Olivia Myers, Kristi Reiser and Molly
Robinson.
Michele Solether and Jill Fitch coach the squad, and coordinated the fest.
Each year, the two coaches try to schedule three or four events to "give back" to the
community. "We feel it’s important for the girls to know how important it is to ‘pay it forward’ to
others and to be a part of their community," according to Solether. "We want them to know that
small acts of kindness can make a big impact, and that is something they can take with them and focus on
throughout their lives."
Other community events planned for this year are the Susan G Komen, Race for a Cure; raking leaves for
the elderly in the Elmwood community with all Elmwood fall athletes; and cheering at a basketball game
for Special Olympics.
Thirty-one teams, with more than 400 participants, entered the cheer fest, which was held earlier this
month.
Top 3 in each division were:
• Pee Wee Division: 1st-Ottoville, 2nd-Riverdale, 3rd-Clyde
• Middle School Division: 1st-Findlay, 2nd-Warriors, 3rd-Napoleon
• Junior Varsity Division: 1st-Wynford
• Small Varsity Division: 1st-Holgate, 2nd-Leipsic, 3rd-Wauseon
• Large Varsity Division:1st-Ottoville, 2nd-Whitmer, 3rd-Napoleon
