Bridgewater, Somerville Cheerleaders Make Video For Class Of 2020

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Students from Somerville High School and Bridgewater-Raritan Pop Warner Cheerleading squads shared an uplifting video for the class of 2020, first responders and essential workers amid the coronavirus.

"You can do it and we'll get through this together." That is the message the cheerleaders are sending to cheer up those struggling during these tough times.

"I decided to create the video because I wanted to redirect my own sense of loss and sadness that the shelter in place was causing and turn it into something positive and encouraging for those in our community — our seniors, the essential workers, the first responders, and those who were feeling the same way I was," said Kelly McCall, cheerleading coach for Bridgewater-Raritan and Somerville.

The loss of a traditional in-person graduation hit home for McCall as she has a daughter graduating from Bridewater-Raritan this year, a son who is part of the class of 2020 at Syracuse University, and four senior varsity cheerleaders from her Somerville Varsity squad.

"The sense of loss from the cancellation of school, graduations, and most likely their prom was heartbreaking for me and I knew it was devastating to them. I have friends and relatives that are teachers, nurses, and essential workers and all of them were battling to adjust to our new normal," McCall said. "I decided that I needed to change my mindset and focus on encouragement, being positive, and giving thanks to those around us so I enlisted my cheer programs to help create a message that shared these thoughts."

The video features the cheerleaders holding a sign and sharing an uplifting message such as "life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance."

McCall is hoping that when the community hears the voices of these cheerleaders and sees their smiles it will bring a sense of peace and comfort to them.

To watch the uplifting video click here.

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