photo courtesy Lifetouch National School Studios

Helping the girls keep a good attitude means doing some very practical things.

Freeport's Coach Angelina Faiella says her cheer captains assigned a game each week to two girls, making them responsible for items such as the sign football players run through and performance ideas.

Giving them responsibility has proven them "great leaders by giving everyone the opportunity to contribute and utilize their own individual creativity," Faiella notes.

Coach Angelina Faiella

"These girls are motivated by a positive attitude, strong ethics, supportive parents, boosters, and school administrative staff…they are some awesome girls."

The Yellow Jackets responded well to the first-year coach, capturing fourth-place at Kennywood's Cheer Day after only three practices.

The girls who are Freeport Varsity cheerleaders are seniors Melanie Lutz (Captain), Lauren Morrison (Captain), Rachel Blythe, Tatum Risch, Jamie Ward; juniors Rachel Gourley, Hanna Pollock, Megan Doerfler, Britian Smith, Kimmie Reitler, and Noelle Decroo.

Coach Faiella outlines how the cheerleaders have gotten to where they are, in the video at http://www.alle-kiskitoday.com/webcasts/1523