Bringing Cheer During Tough Times: April’s Granite Staters of the Month
Despite these challenging times, Salem High School’s varsity cheerleading team recently found a way to do what they do best — bring cheer to others.
It all started when sophomore Gabrielle Driggers decided that she wanted to bring some joy to her grandmother, who currently lives at Salemhaven Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Though Gabrielle and her family have been calling and video chatting with her grandmother since the COVID-19 crisis began, her grandmother still missed seeing her beloved family.
But Gabrielle had an idea. With the help of her cheerleading team, she organized a parade for the Center’s residents.
To maintain social distancing, residents came outside one at a time and stood six feet apart, and the cheerleaders stayed in their own vehicles as they were driven around.
As they drove by the Center, the approximately thirty participating cheerleaders sported Salem High gear, waved their pom poms, and sang to the same song in unison.
Gabrielle says her grandmother cried because she was so happy. But the residents were not the only ones who benefited from the parade.
For Salem High School’s cheerleaders it was a way to reconnect after their season was cut short.
During this difficult moment in our nation’s history, I’m inspired to see young people like Salem High School’s cheerleading team find creative ways to make a difference in their community. I’m proud to name them Granite Staters of the Month for April 2020.
Do you know a Granite Stater who should be next month’s Granite Stater of the month? Nominate them here.
