Many Sayre students have been participating in a new program this year; Sayre Recreational Cheer. Rec Cheer was started by Coach Colleen Rich, who is also the Sayre Redskins Cheer head coach and program leader. Sayre Redskins Cheer is mainly during the end of summer and fall seasons, cheering and performing during football games and for fans. The Sayre Redskins Cheer also participates in a local cheer competition each year. 

Coach Colleen presented the new program of Sayre Rec Cheer to the Sayre Area School District board in February It is an opportunity for cheerleaders to continue practicing their skills and compete in additional competitions throughout the year during the ‘football’ offseason.

“I started the program because I had a lot of cheerleaders interested in going to more competitions after the regular Jr. Redskins season, said Coach Colleen.

Mrs. Hanafin, who teaches 2nd grade at Snyder, was once Coach Colleen’s cheerleading coach years ago. In fact, when Mrs. Hanafin became a coach and was coaching young Coach Colleen’s team, the team traveled to both Texas and South Carolina to compete in cheer competitions. 

“I went to high school here at Sayre. I was a cheerleader, we were competitive, and we won. Then as I got older, I wanted to coach, “ Mrs. Hanafin said.

Fifth grader Abigail Snyder, along with other cheerleaders, said her favorite part about cheerleading is being able to be with her friends and learn new things. While 6th grader Mylee Medina expressed enjoying the thrill of competition days.

“The competitions are good but scary and I love them. We have had competitions in both Elmira [and] Dansville so far,” said Mylee.

Coach Colleen noted that if anyone wanted to sign up for cheerleading, sign ups have started and can be found online. Rec cheer is a great opportunity to take cheerleading abilities to competitions, and for cheerleaders to practice their skills. 

“Competition is going so good. The first one was in Elmira and we got 1st [place. The] second and 3rd competition we got 2nd place. I love to cheer,” said fifth grader, Regan Thompson.

A new and fun addition to Snyder Elementary is an interactive game that combines gaming, technology, and sports.

This new game is called Multiball.  Multiball is similar to a virtual reality game with a twist.  Multiball is half reality, half real with actual balls, and it is played in the David Port/Ready 4 room. This new game was provided to the school through a grant.

“It was granted funded,” said, Mrs. Murrelle

To play, students must throw the balls at the screen and play a real ball game against an interactive screen. There are  a variety of games to choose from including games with themes depending on the time of year or holiday. Teachers may sign-out the multiball game for their class to play.

“It is basically an indoor version of wallball, and I like the variety of the games.” said Parker Lattimer, a 5th grader in Mrs. Lathrop’s class.