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Published: Friday, December
28, 2007

Three cheers for the Flivvers

Team helps Wisconsin
high school develop program

By
BURT ANGELI,Sports Editor

KINGSFORD
— Your high school needs a cheerleading team.

As the movie saying goes, “who you gonna
call?”

Bonduel (Wis.) High School turned to Coach
Jacqueline Leiker and Kingsford
High School.

Cheerleading had been missing from Bonduel for about 10 years, according to
Julie LaBerge.

“As a result, the school spirit here has changed,” said LaBerge, director of pupil services for the Bonduel
school district. “We planned a school spirit and cheerleading
exhibition to assist our students in learning new ways to have fun at our
events.”

Kingsford cheerleading team was
invited to assist Bonduel (30 miles northwest of Green Bay) in enhancing
school spirit and to show the students and community how cheerleading has
changed over the years into a great sport.

“The visit went great and students from both schools were very
excited,” Leiker said. “We hope to
arrange another visit when the Bonduel district begins its new cheerleading
program.”

LaBerge knew if anybody could develop a cheer
program it was her sister-in-law. She called it “an extraordinary day
for our school.”

“The students and community were very responsive,” LaBerge said. “The cheerleaders taught our students
a new cheer at the pep assembly as well as a game that we could play with our
students. The pep assembly was fun, engaging and the students in Bonduel
appeared to have a great time.”

After the pep assembly, Coach Leiker and her
cheerleaders provided a clinic to those interested in learning about how to
start a program. They demonstrated cheer, tumbling and stunt techniques.

“It was well received,” said LaBerge,
noting over 30 people participated.

Flivver cheerleading team performed at the Bears’ girls
basketball game.

“They did an outstanding job helping our fans learn new cheers as well
as supporting the chants that are common to our community,” LaBerge said. “The responses from the participants
at the game were all positive.

“The cheerleading team effectively changed the perception of
cheerleaders in our community due to their outstanding athletic
abilities.”

Several students and parents have asked if Bonduel could start a program like
Kingsford as a result of the
event.

“It was a great learning experience,” LaBerge
said. “We are thankful to the Kingsford
cheerleading team, their coach and the administration who allowed the event
to take place.”

Bonduel made all the travel arrangements.

Leiker, recognized state-wide for producing top
cheer teams, helped Mackinaw
City organize a program
when her husband, Ben, taught there.

“The next year they had a cheerleading program,” Jacqueline Leiker said. “We cheered for one of their games and
it turned out great.

“I’m hoping the same will happen at Bonduel.”