Raiders Cheerleader: 'Family' Organization Deserves Vote on Uniform Change

Editor’s note: The following letter was read to the Washington Township Committee at the governing body’s monthly work session meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14. It has been reproduced for Long Valley Patch readers.

Dear Editor,

My name is Madelyn Ligos. I am a 7th grader at LVMS. I am actively involved in several activities throughout our town. These include lacrosse, basketball, field hockey and cheerleading. I have cheered in this town for the Long Valley Raiders for almost 8 years. I am aware of the issue about the Long Valley Raiders Football Association possibly changing the colors from green and gold to blue and white. This is a topic that for many is emotional. The LVRFA realized that and decided to put that decision to a vote by ITS MEMBERS. The LVRFA is NOT allowing the Long Valley Cheerleading Association to have a vote in this possible change of colors. Now, I absolutely would hate to see the traditional colors of green and gold change to blue and white, but there is a bigger problem on our hands. I am upset that our cheer organization does NOT get the respect it deserves. By not giving the cheer organization a say in this vote, is very disrespectful.

Supposedly, only members of the football organization get to have a vote. But, according to the Long Valley Raiders football, people who have done a lot for the football organization can be given “honorary membership” and those members CAN have a vote. Our cheer organization requested to be given “honorary membership,” but we were not granted our request for this honorary membership by the LVRFA. The football team that we cheer for is the same football team that denied us that “honorary membership.” The exact requirement for honorary membership is, “He/ She must be considered to have done an outstanding job for the Long Valley Raiders and voted in by the Board of Directors.” Our cheerleaders come out every first week in August and practice until the last weeks in October. We come to practices, games and events in rain, shine and when it’s freezing. We come out to support our football players when we can see our breath and when it’s hot and humid. We are spirited, energized and we work hard. We support the football players whether we are losing by 20 or winning by 20, no matter what. If that doesn’t mean we have done an “outstanding job,” then I don’t know what does. In my experience with the Raiders (both football AND cheer,) we have always been taught that the football players and cheerleaders are a family on and off the field. I have made friends from the Raiders that I will keep for the rest of my life. If that isn’t “outstanding support,” I don’t know what is.

I would be highly disappointed if we are not granted the vote that we deserve on a possible change that would affect ALL involved both football players as well as cheerleaders. I think it is only fair that families of BOTH organizations get to have a say in what their sons and/or daughters will be doing. We ALL deserve the respect we have earned through hard work, support and determination. Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,

Madelyn Ligos
Proud Long Valley Raiders Cheerleader AND Outstanding Supporter of the Long Valley Raiders Football Players

See related stories:

• Vote May Change Historic Long Valley Raiders Football Colors
• Raiders Cheerleader: ‘Family’ Organization Deserves Vote on Uniform Change
• No One Has Right to Change Tradition, Varsity Raider Says

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