From ABC News: Three Cheers for Pleasant Valley High in Bettendorf, Iowa
By Kim Stagliano
I saw this on FaceBook and had to post it. Watch this VIDEO from ABC News about the Pleasant Valley High School cheerleading team in Iowa that has created a squad for girls with special needs, called the Sparkles. Read the story HERE.
To the young women on the team, thank you from a Mom of three girls with autism. As my 14 year old Mia would say, "Great job!"
Kim Stagliano is Managing Editor of Age of Autism.
Seven stars for Pleasant Valley High. Thank you Sara Herr for your wonderful work and for all those special people who are involved in this project.There is hope for the future for our children. Inclusion and acceptance that is what our special needs children and adults need.Wonderful.
Posted by: Concerned Professional | October 26, 2009 at 08:22 AM
What a heartwarming story. The girls that coach are wonderful role models, caring and compassionate beyond their years. I'm so very proud of all involved. The values displayed give me great hope for the future. Hollywood should make a movie about this.
Posted by: sarahsam | October 24, 2009 at 01:00 AM
Cried when I watched this. There are some really beautiful souls out there that don't judge another soul on how fast it can read, or do math problems! I needed this one (met the new neighbors and maybe I am sensitive but I felt like they were judging my son) Boo on them! BUT Hurray Hurray for all these cheerleaders.
Posted by: Benedetta | October 23, 2009 at 10:27 PM
How great this was! Want to pass it on to some other schools and start a whole new program.
Posted by: Teresa Conrick | October 23, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Pleasant Valley High School Principle Mike Zimmer's email address is
[email protected]
Posted by: bensmyson | October 23, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Thanks Kim for sharing this. What a great story.
Posted by: Andrea | October 23, 2009 at 08:25 AM
That was beautiful. Time for me to write a letter of thanks to the young woman who started the program.
How big can Bettendorf be that they have so many girls with autism? What's the number of boys?
Posted by: Gatogorra | October 22, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Loved this story!! Iowa has done us proud!
Posted by: Lin | October 22, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Thanks so much for posting this great story!
Posted by: Twyla | October 22, 2009 at 10:33 PM
AWESOME! The young teens have the right idea and the right attitude. This was a wonderful story.
Posted by: Cathy Jameson | October 22, 2009 at 09:30 PM