By Kim J. Harmon

With a lot of hard work, the Newtown High School cheerleaders are starting to make a nice name for themselves.

It started perhaps, with a sixth-place finish last year (out of 14 teams) at the first-ever South-West Conference cheerleading championships and then continued with a second-place finish at the state competitions.

Recently, the ‘Hawks finished first at the Sacred Heart University competition (with a 21/2  minute routine). In between their appearances at home basketball games during the 2000-2001 season, the ‘Hawks will once again compete at the SWC and state competitions.

Seniors Helena Buonagurio and Courtney MacRae and junior Whitney Cross captain the team.

Other members include seniors Kathy Bartok, Leah Blewett, Eryn Hutchison, and Shannon Solheim; juniors Kali Santarpia, Jaime Huppenthal, and Kristin Delavega; and sophomores Shelley Solheim and Megan Kelly.

With the advent of winter, the ‘Hawks also welcome newcomer Kate Whelan  as well as Kyle Neidig and Steve Santanella, whose appearance turns the cheerleading program into a co-ed one . . . a rarity in the state.

Markettes

Newtown’s own dance team, the Markettes, enjoyed their trip to Madison Square Garden last February so much that they are going back again. On February 25, the Markettes will perform with the Knicks City Dancers during halftime of a National Basketball Association contest.

They earned the honor with another first-place finish at the Knicks City Dancers camp.

Meanwhile, the Markettes will be performing, as usual, during halftime of all home basketball games (boys or girls). Christina Cinicola and Caitlin DeCosta will captain the squad for the 2000-2001 season.

Seniors include Vanessa Cannata, Sara Klopfenstein, Amy Andras and Erin McDonald.

Juniors include Becky McCullough, Emily Cieniawa and Amanda Cannata.

The only sophomore is Kathryn McDonald and the freshmen are Brittney Boyle, Katie Berliner, Amy Fazekas, Katie Sciarretto and Erin Beckman.