Beloved Saint John Vianney Cheer Coach Passes Away

HOLMDEL, NJ — The community of Saint John Vianney is in mourning Wednesday after the high school's longtime and beloved cheerleading coach, Jayne Shalkowski, suddenly passed away.

"It is with a heavy heart that Saint John Vianney High School (SJVHS) announces the sudden passing of Mrs. Jayne Shalkowski," announced the school in a press release Wednesday morning.

“Mrs. S,” as she was called, was a guidance counselor and cheerleading coach at SJVHS for over 40 years, as well as the cheerleading coach at Montclair State University for 14 years.

Shalkowski's impact on Saint John Vianney's cheer program is a major legacy: Under her leadership, the SJVHS cheer team was a national powerhouse. With Shalkowski at the helm, the Lady Lancers won the National Cheerleading Association championship year after year; the team traveled all over the country for meets and they regularly returned back to Holmdel with a trophy in hand.

It was also a family affair: Her daughter, Staci, did the Lancers choreography.

The young ladies' faith was also an important part of the team spirit: Led by Shalkowski, the team regularly prays before every cheer competition. Saint John Vianney is a Catholic high school located in Holmdel.

“We pray before everything we do. We pray at every practice, we pray at every competition. Not for anything [like victory], but just for God to guide us, keep us safe and to have a good performance," Shalkowski once told the Trenton Monitor. “Obviously I believe in my faith."

Shalkowski was a member of St. Catharine parish in Holmdel. She used to teach at Holmdel High School before SJVHS.

"Shalkowski taught that discipline, dedication and hard work lead to success," said Saint John Vianney in a statement Wednesday. "This was evident in all of the accomplishments and championships that her cheer team achieved. Jayne always had a smile on her face and cared for the students of SJVHS as if they were own."

"She touched the lives of thousands of students at SJVHS," the school continued. "Jayne has had an impact on the lives of thousands of young men and women. We know that you share in our grief at this time. Please keep Jayne’s husband, daughter, mother, siblings and extended family in your thoughts and prayers."

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 23 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home located at 115 Tindall Road in Middletown.

A funeral liturgy will be offered on Friday, May 24 at 9:15 a.m. at St. Catharine's Church located at 108 Middletown Road in Holmdel.