ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A group of teens with special needs has been given a very special opportunity during football season this year. They've been invited to join the Nease Sparklers, a cheerleading squad at Nease High School.
Senior cheerleader Adriana Barranco saw a special on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" featuring two Iowa varsity cheerleaders who started a cheerleading squad just for disabled girls. The foundation called The Sparkle Effect spread across the country, and Barranco brought it to Nease High School.
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"It's kind of surreal to know that it's actually happening," Barranco said. "And after last April starting it, and now it's actually happening, it feels really good."
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Barranco's idea has helped disabled students like Lily Boone feel part of the squad. Boone was born with cloacal exstrophy, a rare birth defect that affects her pelvis, legs and abdominal organs.
"I don't like to think of me as different. Like, I'm different, but I'm different in a special way, so I can do whatever anybody else can do," Lily said.
The Nease Sparklers' first game is next Friday at home against Bartram Trail High School. The Sparklers will cheer with the squad again on Oct. 8.
There are five Nease Sparklers this year. Barranco's hoping to expand the program and eventually have the girls cheer during some of the Nease basketball games.