Palatine cheer team centers performance on special student

Eighth grader Allison Baran of Palatine had an edge in last month's cheerleading competition at Vernon Hills High School: it was her fourth one of the season.

She also competes on a squad of cheerleaders with special needs, based out of Crystal Lake, who earned a berth to the Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association state championship.

What makes Allison unusual is that she has cerebral palsy and participates in a wheelchair.

However, her teammates on the cheerleading squad from Winston Campus Junior High School in Palatine hardly use that as a crutch. In fact, they credit Allison with having great facials, as well as nailing the timing on her dance movements performed with her arms.

"She's very smiley," says eighth grader, Zoe Hughes, of Palatine, "and it's contagious."

Perhaps that explains how the squad, made up of seventh and eighth graders, won the spirit award for all of the junior high school teams that competed, and finished fifth, or in the middle of their class.

Later this month, they will bring their routine to a national competition held at Navy Pier in Chicago.

"Every single transition we do, we include Allison in some way," says Colleen Scott, team moderator, "whether it's in stunting or dancing."

In fact, they use her chair, and her front and center location to position themselves during their various formations.

"She's always in the center, so she's good to base everything around," says her eighth grade classmate, Kelly Geschrey of Palatine.

"Allison's a good dancer, so it just sort of flows," adds another friend, Heather Brand, also of Palatine.

She has been their classmate since first grade in Palatine Township Elementary District 15. Now at the middle school level at Winston Campus, Allison also participates in the school band, playing the drums.

"She's forged a lot of new frontiers here," says her mother, Debra Baran. "We're hoping they continue in high school."

Allison just shrugs, and says she is pursuing the things that interest her.

"I like to do the cheering and dancing," she says quietly.

Her mother has been coaching her on the Crystal Lake Raiders cheerleading squad for the last four years, and Allison also has participated in cheerleading through the Palatine Park District.

"But it was her dream to make the school squad here, so she could feel like she's really a cheerleader," Debra Baran says.

Scott says Allison tried out like all the other students, and that though they have modified some of the dance movements for her ­- she skips some of the half steps in the routine - she always ends up with them at key moments during their cheers.

The squad's performance finishes in exciting fashion, with the entire squad screaming around Allison in her chair. At the Vernon Hills competition, it moved audience members so much, they gave them a standing ovation.

"It was really something to see," said one father in the audience, Tom Aichele of Arlington Heights, "and it sparked some nice dialogue in the car ride home, about inclusion and the real meaning of competition."

Scott adds that her team members accepted Allison and her disabilities, naturally, much as they do in school, where inclusion is part of the school's culture.

"Each girl on my squad is unique and wonderful and brings something special to the team," Scott adds. "They all actively participate alongside Allison, while supporting and encouraging each other. That's what makes us a great team."