In recognition of the dedication, efforts and accomplishments of local youths, Hillsborough Township officials, along mayor Frank DelCore, honored three cheerleading squads at a committee meeting on Jan. 22.
With each group being honored with a proclamation on behalf of the township, DelCore and the township committee bestowed recognition upon the Hillsborough Dukes JV Cheerleaders, the Hillsborough Dukes Jr. Pee Wee Cheerleaders and the Hillsborough Dukes Mighty Mite Cheerleaders, “for their successful season and for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the sport and to those principals of good sportsmanship, teamwork and academic achievement which the organization endorses.”
Last year, the Hillsborough Dukes JV Cheerleaders achieved Jersey Valley Conference Grand Champion, NJ State Grand Champion and Pop Warner National Finalist. The Hillsborough Dukes scored among the top five pop warner teams out of 534 teams that attended the Pop Warner Cheer and Dance National Championships.
The Dukes Jr. Pee Wee Cheerleaders were Jersey Valley Conference Cheer Champion, New Jersey State Champion, Eastern Region Pop Warner Cheer Champion and received second place at the Pop Warner Cheer Nationals at Disney World in Florida.
The Mighty Mite Cheerleaders won first place at the Jersey Valley Conference competition and received Certificate of Achievement awards for Highest High Stunt Score, Highest High Jump Score, Highest Choreography Score and Highest Overall Score.
The 2018 Hillsborough Dukes JV Cheerleaders consisted of the following young athletes: Keyonie Black, Hannah Fields, Ashley Figliolo, Emily Florek, Natalia Fonzetti, Amanda Gianetti, Abigail Glazewski, Abigail Grouss, Carly Janaszik, Bella Johnson, Kayla Kirk, Maya Lewis, Sonia Lips, Emily Margelis, Olivia McCarthy, Sophia Mistretta, Jozlyn Miranda, Marissa Morris, Melanie Muriello, Kaitlyn Oram, Abigail Patula, Grace Perkins, Alyssa Petti, Reagan Pirog, Taylor Regenye, Alexis Scott, Ariel Shvetz and Makaylah Williams. The squad was led by Head Coach Noelle Fonzetti-Creekmur; assistant coaches Kelly Black, DeShaun Creekmur, Nicole Figliolo, Dana Margelis and Danielle Scott; and junior coaches Juliette Benedetti, Samantha Compell and Hailey Doyle.
The 2018 Hillsborough Dukes Jr. Pee Wee Cheerleaders consisted of the following young athletes: Isabelle Antonelli, Molly Campbell, Gianna Carlson, Jayla Chaparro, Jules DiNuzzo, Samantha Grohe, Reagan Kenney, Caydence Pinkett and Sophia Rollan. The squad was led by Head Coach Catherine Grohe; assistant coaches Kelly Kenney and Kelly Black; and student demonstrators Amy Applegate and Gillian Prince.
The 2018 Hillsborough Dukes Mighty Mite Cheerleaders consisted of the following young athletes: Grace Aull, Abby Churco, Samantha Churco, Liliana Cocuzza, Chloe Cuevas, Lily Cuevas, Daniella Ercolino, Summer Fields, Brianna Heery, Lucia Heiser, Abby Koemple, Bailey McCarthy, Makeyla Murillo, Shalynn Roach and Demi Rott. The squad was led by Head Coach Kelly Heery, Assistant Coach Stephanie Koemple and student demonstrators Allison Compell and Ashley Shuttner.