From Channel 9 News, the NBC affiliate in Denver.

Megan Bomgaars, left, successfully auditioned for the cheerleading squad at Evergreen High School last year as a freshman. Her squad then went on to win a regional cheerleading competition, and placed 12th in a December state cheerleading contest.

Now Bomgaars and her coach, Tammy Dufford, are being honored with the “National High School Spirit of Sport Award” from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

According to the NFHS, the award is given to those who “exemplify the ideals of the spirit of sport that represents the core mission of education-based athletics.”

… Cheerleaders with Down Syndrome have participated in mainstream cheerleading at area high schools, but Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Spirit officials did not know of any such student before Bomgaars who competed at the tournament level.

Other members of the squad had insisted that Bomgaars compete alongside them at the tournament level, even though there was no precedent for scoring the participation of a cheerleader with Down syndrome.

NFHS press release download here:

“This is an exceptional story and one that embodies all that is good and right about high school sports,” said

Robert F. Kanaby, NFHS executive director. “Placing the individual above the team’s pursuit of winning championships is a perfect example of the spirit of sport. Coach Dufford, Megan and the rest of the Evergreen cheerleading team are to be congratulated for their great act of sportsmanship.”

Earlier stories:

• Cheerleaders kick ‘Mean Girls’ stereotype (with video)
• Cheerleader breaks new ground, draws huge applause
• Cheerleader’s big dreams; Down syndrome student leaps to fame with flair

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm and is filed under Down syndrome, NOT2BEMISSED, education, exercise/sports, families, medicine, politics, public attitudes, quality of life, success stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  Email This Post