ABOUT TOWN: SHS Cheerleaders Fundraise for Trip to Nationals (And MLK Celebration)

STOUGHTON CHEERLEADERS MAKE NATIONAL FOR FIRST TIME EVER—LOOKING TO FUNDRAISE FOR FLORIDA TRIP:  The Black Knights cheerleading squad has done something no squad ever did before—it has won a spot at Nationals in March at Universal Studios in Florida!

Now, the cheerleaders need to raise up to $25,000 to pay for the trip.

Barbara Mofford, a Randolph native who has coached the cheerleading squad for eight years, said she was very proud of her squad. "It's quite an honor to make it to Nationals. All the girls have worked really hard this year."

Brittany Kramer is coaching for the first time this year, and with two coaches, the team has soared.

Mary Amaral, the team mom, and mother of Stephanie Amaral the team's co-Captain, told About Town, "We thought Nationals were in May. When we found out they were March 22nd, we had to put something together fast."

She put together a Penny Sale, held on January 15 at the . Amaral hosted the event, and conducted over 100 raffles for prizes range from jewelry to Snuggies, to bottles of wine. Only a small dent was made into the total needed for the trip. Those who would still like to donate can send a check made out to Stoughton High Cheerleaders, to the attention of Mofford, to Stoughton High School, Athletic Department, 232 Pearl Street, Stoughton, MA 02072. 

Members of the team include: Stephanie Amaral, Bianca Batte, Michelle Bisbee, Kaylie Cassidy, Lauren Cellucci, Elizabeth Eckhart, Vanessa Ferreira, Annmarie Fronduto, Nicole Fuentes Vargas, Meaghan Hill, Donyea Holloway, Nicole Kerman, Lillian Lamplough, Keion Lugay, Stephanie McEachern, Taylor McGibbon, Chelsea Morris, Erin Petrie, Erin Pike, Rachel Resurreccion, Madeline Rosen, Madeline Sinkus, Johannah Smith, and Sierra Watson.

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MARTIN LUTHER KING SALUTE: The presented "The Life and Words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Monday night at the in Stoughton Center. The presentation was followed by refreshments in the Fellowship Hall. 

Host Rev. Jeffrey Symynkywicz welcomed the crowd, and Louise Verrette played the National Anthem on the piano to get the evening started. 

There was a narrative about "The Early Years and Montgomery," followed by "We Shall Overcome." 

Then, the story followed with King's "Sit-Ins and Birmingham, Alabama" experiences, with highlights of his peaceful boycotts, lunch counter sit-ins, and daily marches—all done quietly and calmly.

"Washington and Memphis" followed, with the narrative covering the Supreme Court decision making segregation unconstitutional, and King's Nobel Prize for Peace. 

Then, his famous "I Have A Dream" speech was read.  It ends with the famous line--"...We will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing, in the words of that old Negro spiritual, Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we're free at last."  

Among the students who took part in the ceremonies were Jordan Phillips, Leandra Andrade, Melanie Pitts, Marissa Wade, Ronnie Green, Raquel Kennedy, Trevor Duboby, Caroline Tobin, and Joseph Lundin.  

Faces In the Crowd: Rev. Jean Niven Lenk of First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, who is the president of the Clergy Association; Revs. Rebecca and Summin Cho of First United Methodist Church; Rev. Stanley Schultz of Faith Baptist Church; and Rev. Joseph P. McDermott of Immaculate Conception Church.  

Selectman Cynthia Walsh and former Selectman Tony Sousa also attended.      

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To veteran Hank Herbowy, whose have appeared in this column and elsewhere on Patch.

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HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to: Pastor Sean Sears of in Stoughton. The Colorado Christian University graduate has made quite an impact, along with his wife Billie, since moving to Stoughton. And, to Amy Miller, a registered nurse at Signature Health Care BGPMA. The New York native is mom to Matthew, Jesse and Buddy.  

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