Now in its second year of essentially what could be described as a soft reboot, led by Director Brittany Nowacki, along with Co-Presidents Kari Lauffenburger and Erika Wagner, the non-profit organization — associated with American Youth Cheerleading (American Youth Football League) — has virtually doubled its participants from 2017.

“WCYC was a fundraiser that was originally run by the Warren Area High School cheerleaders, when I was the varsity cheerleading coach (2010-2013),” Nowacki said. “With the help of the amazing parents of our cheerleaders and our community, we were able to start the program back up during the summer of 2017.”

Lauffenburger, a Warren Area High School graduate, initially broached the subject of restarting WCYC to Nowacki, and since that conversation she’s impressed with the evolution of the program over the last year.

“We did not anticipate this much support or the program growing so fast,” Lauffenburger said. “The parents have been so helpful. It’s amazing. If we need stuff, they are there.”

Photos submitted to Times Observer The WCYC car wash in 2017 at Mullen’s Muffler.

Sheffield Area High School product Kari Smith, who holds the title of both proud parent and head coach for WCYC, expressed her enthusiasm for the program’s new beginning, opportunity, comradery, and optimistic future.

“We all have to work together to make this program bigger and better each year,” said Smith. “It’s an awesome program and it targets a younger group of kids that don’t have school sports available to them or may not be able to afford to pay hundreds of dollars to join private teams.”

As for Smith’s daughter, she loves the program.

“It gives us something to bond over,” Smith said. “(It) helped her make new friends all over the county and helps keep her healthy.”

Erika Wagner, who prior to last year, had no experience in cheerleading, even dating back to her days at Eisenhower High School, expressed how the program has been a life-changing experience for her and her daughters.

Photos submitted to Times Observer WCYC having fun (with a little dab).

“Cheer is the only sport that my daughter actually wanted to participate in after the first practice,” said Wagner. “It has helped her gain a confidence that two years ago we weren’t ever sure she’d have again. It has allowed my husband and I to be involved with a community of people that are genuine and kind; accepting and understand.”

In addition to Nowacki, Lauffenburger, Wagner, and Smith, WCYC’s remaining coaches are Calyn Fitch, Kayla Munksgard, Amelia Thompson, and Tiara Bailey, as well as several junior coaches whom are cheerleaders from the cheer teams throughout the Warren County School District.

“Each coach, board member, and myself are volunteers,” Nowacki explained. “I would definitely say this is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have ever been a part of. Although it challenges at times, I would not and could not ask for a better group of people to work with through these challenges”

For Nowacki, those challenges are all worth it, as she has come to realize over the past year that the program is more than cheerleading. She, the board, and the coaches all recognize and convey the message that it takes a village to raise a child, and that WCYC is able to bring cheerleaders, their families, and all participants together under one umbrella to provide the best experience for the girls and boys involved.

“It is knowing that I am part of something bigger than a cheerleading program,” Nowacki said. “We are a family, a very large family. Knowing that we are providing opportunities for the kids with the program being completely free, that they may not otherwise have the chance to do.”

A free program can’t be free, however, without the support of community members and local businesses. Thus far, for 2018, WCYC has welcomed sponsorships from 15 area businesses. As the sponsorship numbers continue to grow through the deadline of September 15, the girls still plan to do their own fundraising.

“This weekend we will be doing TAG days around the community, so keep an eye out for us,” said Nowacki. “On Sunday, there will be a car wash at Mullen’s Muffler. They are so kind to let us use their space for free from noon to 4 p.m.”

Nowacki specified that the funding is spread throughout the program for uniforms, tumbling mats, liability insurance fees, American Youth Football and Cheerleading League fees, entrance fees into competitions, and banquet awards… as well as beverages and snacks, especially for unpredictable weather during football season. With the participation nearly doubling in 2018, Nowacki projects the $10,000 budget of 2017 will need to double as well and hopes all hands will be on deck for this weekend’s fundraisers.

With the increased numbers and budget, Nowacki and her coaches also see an opportunity to expand beyond just cheering during Warren County Youth Football League games, by competing more throughout the fall and winter. New for 2018, WCYC will have a competitive only recreational cheerleading squad.

“Last year we piloted competition cheer with a small group of cheerleaders,” said Nowacki. “From that group, we developed a stunt group, which consisted of five girls. We took this group to one competition to test out the experience. We ended up taking first place and that motivated us!”

Stemming from their success, yet still in the early stages of its revival, Warren County Youth Cheerleading, in one year, has progressed into a welcoming, all-inclusive, mainstay for boys and girls ages 5 to 12, that not only seek the excitement of the sport, but also the congeniality of their peers and the endurance of their leadership, as well as the benevolence of their community.