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Cheerleading Returns to Valley Regional High School

After more than a decade without an official Valley Regional High School cheerleading squad, a team will be added this fall as part of the school’s sports roster. Courtney Weisse of Chester has been chosen to fill the new cheer coach position.

Weisse has spent that past 11 years as the cheer coach at her alma mater, Westbrook High School. Now a Chester resident, Weisse said she decided to make the change to be closer to home and to be a part of the school system her two young children will one day also be a part of, however, she will still coach for Westbrook High School during the winter season.

“Change is good and you have to keep moving forward,” said Weisse, who has a full-time job and two children under five. “Cheering is my passion, so I want to make sure that it is always a part of my life.

“I love the energy and excitement the girls bring to my life,” she continued. “Leaving Westbrook was a tough decision, but I have a passion for growing new programs and that’s what I hope to do at Valley.”

With four years of high school cheerleading experience and a year and half at the college level, Weisse said she hopes she can bring the new team to a high level of performance with ramped-up halftime routines and more advanced stunts.

“This is going to be a change for everyone and I am looking forward to a very successful season,” said Weisse.

Weisse is also reviewing the possibility of adding a winter cheer season.

“Cheerleading is a very intensive sport,” said Weisse. “Not everyone realizes how much time and effort goes into practicing our routines to make sure everything is perfect. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of fun and I am extremely happy to part of this new program.”

Weisse will be aided by an active group of community supporters.

“We all want this new team to succeed and we are all excited to get things moving,” said Cheerleading Booster Club President Jennifer Farrell, whose daughter Lily Farrell will be a freshman at VRHS this fall and will co-captain the cheerleading team along with Chloe Zito.

“We want to have a first-class program and we are looking forward to the first official season of cheerleading starting soon,” added Farrell.