MONROE, Conn. — From preseason preparation and cheering on the football team from the sidelines in the fall to this past Saturday’s Team of the Year competition, Masuk High’s cheerleading team has had quite a run of success and fun for the past seven months. The Panthers followed up their third-place finish in the South-West Conference Championships with a strong showing the the state competitions.
The Masuk cheer squad delivered its best season since 2016, consistently placing among the top teams at both conference and invitational competitions throughout the winter season. Throughout the season, the team consistently placed among the top teams at local competitions, demonstrating dedication, resilience, and continued growth, coaches noted.
Masuk was fourth in the Class L State Championships, which put the Panthers in the prestigious Team of the Year competition — both held at Newtown High — March 7 and 14, respectively. The Team of the Year event features the top six teams in each class across the state.
Masuk earned the Most Collegiate Award at the March 14 competition, recognizing the team’s professionalism, sportsmanship and positive representation of the sport, while delivering a sharp, skilled routine.
Among other highlights this year, the Panthers earned the Spirit Award at the Wildcat Open in Seymour, recognizing teams what demonstrate positivity, energy and sportsmanship throughout the event. At the Fairfield Ludlowe Cheer Open Masuk won the Best Pyramid Award, highlighting the team’s technique and creativity in advanced difficult stunts. Masuk was second at the Hatterfest Cheer Competition in Danbury.
“This team truly embraced our season motto, ‘We Won’t Stop,'” Masuk Head Coach Diane Gaber said. “Every single practice, every competition and every challenge they faced, they pushed through with determination and heart. They absolutely proved that they would not stop. I can’t be more proud of them. This is an exceptional group of girls. What makes this group exceptional is not just their success on the mat, but the kind of teammates and leaders they are in our school community. They show up for their classmates, and give their time to programs like Unified Cheer with incredible compassion.”
While competitive cheerleading is a major part of the program, Masuk cheerleaders are equally dedicated to supporting the entire Masuk athletic community. The varsity cheerleaders cheer at every Masuk varsity football game as well as most home boys and girls varsity basketball games, showing up in torrential rain or sunshine, always bringing energy and spirit to support their team.
During Homecoming Week, the team spends countless hours decorating the school, creating banners and displays that recognize every athletic team and athlete at Masuk High School. Their goal is to ensure that every athlete in every sport feels acknowledged and celebrated. Their dedication to school spirit and community support reflects the heart of the Masuk cheer program — lifting others up and bringing the entire school together, the coaches said.
“From the first day of practice in August the girls showed incredible dedication, talent, and perseverance,” Assistant Coach Jackie Bennett said. “Their success this season is a reflection of the countless hours of hard work and the trust they built with one another. What stands out most about this team is the culture they created together. They continuously lifted each other up — celebrating and supporting one another through every challenge.”
“The connection they built with our unified cheerleaders is something truly so special, fostering an environment of kindness and inclusion,” she added. “These girls represent our program with resilience and unwavering pride. To say I am proud of these girls is an understatement.”
The Masuk Unified Cheer Program, now in its second year, was spearheaded by Gaber and Assistant Coaches Bennett and Marissa Esteves. The program provides inclusive opportunities for students of all disabilities, incorporating cheerleading skills while helping athletes develop gross motor skills, teamwork, confidence and sportsmanship.
“Since August, this team has been putting in the work,” Esteves said. “From Friday Night Lights to their final competition. In most sports if you make an error or want to do something different there are additional quarters, periods, and halves to change it up. In cheer you only get two minutes and 30 seconds to show it all, no do overs, no way to show that something that went wrong on the mat just hit in the practice room.”
“I am so proud how this team has pushed through adversity, trusted each other and come out stronger every step of the way,” she added. “This group didn’t just master a routine; they built resilience, confidence and a bond that carried them all season. They truly care about our community, each other and representing Masuk.”
Members of the Masuk cheer squad include: Olivia Augustine, Allison Cardona, Zoey Chakraborty, Emma Charbonneau, Emma Esteves, Cecelia Floramo, Katherine Gillen, Monica Glus, Angelina Guerra, Angelica Klittnick, Alina Lalic, Abigail MacIntyre, Olivia Maniscalco, Lauren McCarthy, Hayley Reis, Sara Scholz, Maya Tomaszewski, Bela Torre, Caroline Walsh and Emmerson Walsh.
Captains are Reis and Maniscalo along with Sophia Fabrizio (fall season). Additionally, Paige Benway contributed to the team in the fall season.
