Whiz Kids: HB Cheerleaders Perform to Raise Funds for Non-Profits

Whiz Kids: Hampton Bays Varsity Cheerleading Squad

Members: Stephanie Akten, Samantha Barrett, Deborah Carlin, Alyssa Casciotta, Colleen Casella, Emily Davis, Emma Del Rey, Layla Deluca, Itzel Figueroa,
Kristin Gregory, Angie Jimenez, Abby Kraycar, Colleen Lawrenz, Rachel Muller, Briana Oakland, Hayley Payne, Marlee Riebenfeld, Mia Rosante, Marissa Schultze, and McKenzie Wandoloski.

School: Hampton Bays High School

Whiz Kids' Accomplishment: The girls are raising money for the Cohen Children’s Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island through an event they are holding at the Hampton Bays Middle School on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 5 p...

Whiz Kids' Key to Awesomeness:

According to Hampton Bays Varsity Cheerleading coach Katie Miedema, three senior cheerleaders, Marlee Riebenfeld, Emily Davis, Deb Carlin and Steph Akten had an idea to help out their community.  Specifically, they wanted to aid the Cohen Children’s Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island by raising funds.

Their idea, said Miedema, came as part of the Hampton Bays School District’s Booster Club, which asks school sports teams to work on projects that promote community service.

The girls, said Miedema, are very talented and “put many hours into learning stunts, practicing routines and perfecting dances and cheers. They wanted to take this year’s team to competition level; however, it was difficult coordinating schedules between individual commitments and other activities.”

Talking more about it, Miedema, said the girls came up with an idea to showcase their skills while at the same time helping out the community.

The girls have been working to bring 15 cheerleading teams, including ones from Riverhead and Shelter Island to Hampton Bays Middle School on Saturday at 5 p.m. to put on a show that will benefit the non-profits.

During the show, each cheer team will perform a 2-3 minute routine; a half-time tumbling showcase, and a unison “Cheer for a Cure” finale.

To raise money, the girls are charging spectators a $5 donation fee, as well as asking them to donate items for the Ronald McDonald House, including gift certificates to Waldbaums,Pathmark, JCPennys and PC Richards; snack foods, paper towels, cleaning supplies, linens, kitchen items, such as dishwasher liquid and oven cleaner; electrical times, such as vacuums and smoke detectors; and well as items such as diapers, batteries, baby wipes, new infant toys, strollers, and travel size toilettes.

Do you know a Whiz kid?  Let us know by e-mailing Erica.Jackson@Patch.com.