I asked myself this question three years ago when my oldest daughter came home with a Sakonnet Schooners flyer and told me she wanted to join. I remember asking her, "don't we already have enough going on?" Don't we all as parents feel that way? She informed me this is something she really wanted to do. So off we went to sign her up. The Schooners head cheer coach, Sherri Conklin was there, and of course, I asked all the questions, practice times, games times, etc. I do want add something here. Sherri Conklin has been the head cheer coach for several years. She no longer has a child in the program, but still volunteers countless hours coaching as do all of the coaches.  

Over the next three years, I learned many things about this program. Pop Warner is the only athletic program in America that requires their participants to perfrom adequately at an acedimic level before they can play. There are no try-outs. Everyone is welcome to join. All of the coaches and volunteers are required to have background checks. Safety is a number one priority with the organization. The football players are receiving new helmets this year! On a more personal level, I watched my daughter grow as a person.  

Now I would like to tell you what my daughter told me she has gotten out of all of this. She has learned to be a team player. She's has found out what hard work and determenation can lead to. In December the Sakonnet Schooners Midget Cheer Team made it all the way to the National Competition which was held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Center in Disney. They placed second in their division. I can assure you, this is no small accomplishment. This was the first time a Schooner team had made it to a National Competition. Everyone, coaches, volunteers, board members, and parents, were extremely proud of them.

My oldest daughter who joined three years ago will be cheering for the high school team this fall. I now have two other daughters in the program. I'm hoping they both get as much out of belonging to Sakonnet Schooners as their sister did.

So when that flyer comes home with your child, and you ask yourself why should I sign him or her up, hopefully, you will have some answers.  

Now if you're asking yourself when you can sign up, I can answer that too. 

There will also be signups at the Tiverton High School, Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m.  12 p.m.

You can also visit their website sakonnetschooners.net for more information.