They put the “Rah” in Remarkable

With proud support by Varsity.com and even the Jonas Brothers Foundation, these spirit queens are the epitome of S-U-C-C-E-S-S. Meet Sarah Cronk and Sarah Herr, varsity cheerleaders at Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa. They developed a program that’s completely youth-led, youth-staffed, youth-driven, and fully integrated into their high school sports program.

The duo’s heart-warming stunt? They allow students with special needs, from autism to down syndrome, to practice with their cheer squad, The Sparkles, every week. Plus, the kids get to cheer with them at games and at half-time to packed crowds and standing ovations. Are you feeling the good will yet?

Wait, it gets better. They’ve even developed the program so students (like you) can adopt a Sparkle Squad at high schools across America. Hurry and use the Tell Your Friends button at the top to send this to a cheer coach near you today.

The Spartan Sparkles have a new place in our gendance heart. Get inspired with these vids and take a second to realize the power of young, smart women bringing the best out of those in need.

Moral of the story: A quote about cheerleaders: “Simply because we do not run across goal lines, slam dunk basketballs, or hit home runs, doesn't mean we can't change the score.”