Riverhead Varsity Cheer Team Shines On Road To Finals Placing 1st

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Riverhead varsity cheer team continued to shine Saturday, coming in first in a Section XI competition at Longwood High School.

Hauppauge High School came in second place and Smithtown West took third, said the Riverhead girls' coach Stephanie Piraino.

"I'm so proud of these girls — positive and hardworking," Piraino said. "The girls hit a perfect routine, no dedications for stunts or tumbling."

She added: "This was a week of taking chances for them: We added people to new spots and the girls rose to the occasion."

The achievement is another jewel in the crown of the team's journey toward the finals: Despite a pandemic and a failed budget, nothing could quell the spirit and determination of the Riverhead varsity cheer team —they're headed to the 2022 Universal Cheerleaders Association' national cheerleading championship in Florida next month.

But they need help to fund the journey.

According to a GoFundMe page, "Riverhead Cheer — Road to Nationals," created by parent Stephanie Tomko, the student athletes recently competed at a UCA regional event and, after years of hard work and dedication, placed second in their division.

"That performance has earned them a bid to attended UCA nationals in Orlando, Florida, in February, where they will represent their school and community by competing against the best teams in the nation," Tomko wrote.

"These strong and talented athletes have overcome significant hurdles over the last two years — from navigating a global pandemic, to losing sports funding due to a failed school budget. Instead of giving up, they pushed forward, they raised each other up, and they put in the hard work, both in the gym as well as the classroom," Tomko said. "Their efforts have brought them one step closer to their ultimate goal."

The nationals trip is an incredible opportunity, yet costly, estimated at $30,000 to $35,000, which is not school-funded, Tomko said.

"To help offset the costs associated with this trip we are asking our friends, families, alumni and community to help this Riverhead varsity cheer team 'Ride the Wave to the Nationals,'" she said.

Piraino expressed pride in the students. "This is huge for the girls," she said.

Parent Francine Pantaleo added: "We are so very proud of the girls. They work so hard. The boosters have not been able to fundraise in the standard way for going on two years," she said. "The budget and COVID killed the way we can fundraise. In past years we have been able to raise the bulk of the cost to get them to nationals," she said.

Pantaleo, who has spent years helping to fundraise in the traditional way, through fundraising and booster events, said this year's road to the national competition is "bittersweet because we could not get them there. They will be paying their own way — and money can be tight. "

Parents have helped to organize some raffles and the GoFundMe is critical, she said.

But despite the obstacles, Pantaleo said it means everything, that the girls are able to set off on their journey. "This is the experience of a lifetime for them," she said. "They are so excited for it."

The girls have a final showcase before leaving for the finals scheduled for Wednesday, February 8.

Riverhead Cheer Booster is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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