Courtesy of Tracey Albert
ONE HAPPY GIRL — Seventeen-year-old Kayla Guiggey is one happy girl to be on the Katahdin High School cheerleading squad. Guiggey has Down’s syndrome. She was invited by the other cheerleaders to participate with them this year.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
STACYVILLE — Katahdin cheerleading coach Danielle Chong said Kayla Guiggey’s strength for the cheerleading team is her spirit and enthusiasm. She is not your average cheerleader. Her teammates are not your typical teenagers.
Guiggey, 17, is ecstatic to be a cheerleader.
“She is a little sweetheart,” said Phil Faulkner, Katahdin High School athletic director. “She was tickled.”
Katahdin, which formed a squad this season after a three-year absence, was short a person. The cheerleaders thought Guiggey may want to fill that spot.
Guiggey has Down’s syndrome.
Chong explained that one of the cheerleaders, who didn’t know Kayla well but had a class with her, approached the team about asking Kayla to join.
“I think that the wonderful aspect of this is that they reached out to her,” said Guiggey’s mother Debbie. “They called me first, in case I would not allow her to join, so that she would not be disappointed. I am awfully glad they did that.”
Guiggey’s mother agreed to let her daughter cheer.
“I think she was very apprehensive at first,” Chong said.
“I did have a lot of concerns originally,” said Debbie. “From the teasing factor, acceptance, to Kayla having hurt feelings. But, I have to tell you. All my fears have been released. The cheerleaders have been tremendous. There has been no negative feedback at all.”
Guiggey has not missed a practice or game.
“She fits right in,” said Chong. “The girls are really great with her and she really enjoys cheerleading.”
Last Thursday, the Katahdin basketball teams’ regular season finished. Not sure how Guiggey would handle that, her mother asked, “Are you bummed this is the last game?” Guiggey answered, “No, mom. I know next year I will be able to do it again.”
Those words spoke volumes to Guiggey’s mother.
Courtesy of Tracey Albert
ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE — The Katahdin High School cheerleaders are from left, front, Tatiana Gilmartin and Alyssa Falanka; back, Kayla Guiggey, Katie Lovett and Kendra Schilkowski. The Katahdin cheerleaders invited Guiggey, who has Down’s syndrome, to participate with them this year.
“This has increased her confidence,” she said. “Just the way the kids at school have been treating her and their whole outlook on Kayla – now they give her a high-five or say to her ‘Way to go’ – has made her, as well as myself, feel like she is part of the school now.”
That reception was displayed just before Christmas when Guiggey received an award on Student Day.
“The kids were horrendously clapping and all excited about it,” said her mother. “It really has been a huge boost for her. We are so thrilled.”
This rapport with the cheerleaders may not make Guiggey’s smile any brighter or wider, but it has broken down barriers.
“It’s been a huge turn for us as a family,” said her mother. “Kayla has to struggle with Down’s and was not part of the group. It’s been hard for her and me, maybe, harder for me than her.”
Chong said not only has the team helped Guiggey, but she has been an influence on the squad.
“She does everything everyone else does,” said Chong. “She cheers, dances and jumps. Kayla has brought them together and made them realize not to judge anyone.”
Guiggey wasn’t invited to parties or engaged in fun games for her junior class just because … Now, her mother hopes after cheering, the kids realize how fun and great she is — something her mom has known all along.
“Hopefully, this will open up opportunities for her,” said her mother. “She can participate in a lot of different things that kids do. She loves it and she thinks she is awesome now that she is a cheerleader.”
Guiggey’s father is Matthew and she has a sister Megan, who is 19.
The next step for Guiggey’s high school immersion is the anticipation of prom this year.
“That is a goal of ours to get a special dress and participate in junior prom,” said her mother. “We are excited about it.”
