On Friday nights under the stadium lights, during packed basketball games, school assemblies, parades, and community events, one thing is always clear at Mercer Island High School: Sparkle Cheer brings people together through smiles, open hearts, and a kind of joy that warms everyone’s hearts.
Sparkle Cheer is a unique and deeply meaningful cheerleading team where students with and without special needs cheer side by side at school and community events. From football and basketball games to assemblies, parades, and local community events, Sparkle Cheer shows up with enthusiasm, heart, and a powerful message: everyone belongs.
Sparkle Cheer is approximately 30 cheerleaders, bringing together MIHS cheerleaders and students with a broad range of special needs, all cheering as one unified team. MIHS cheerleaders serve as mentors sharing cheers, routines, and encouragement but the learning flows both ways. As many Cheer Mentors quickly discover, Sparkle isn’t about teaching the perfect dance or hitting every count. It’s about learning patience, openness, flexibility, and how to truly show up for one another.
For many students, Sparkle Cheer has been truly transformative. Some join the program feeling shy or unsure, only to blossom over time as their confidence grows. Through Sparkle, these students become familiar, beloved faces throughout the school and community, high-fiving classmates in the hallways, feeling included at lunch, and proudly representing their team wherever they go.
Sparkle Cheer reminds us that cheerleading isn’t only about spirit it’s about heart. It’s about creating space for every individual to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. It’s about lifting one another up and showing what true inclusion looks like in action.
MIHS Sparkle Cheer - Head Coach Jami Blumenstein “Coach Jami”
“For me, Sparkle Cheer is more than a program, it has truly become my heart and soul.
I’ve been coaching with the Mercer Island High School Cheer program for over 10 years, and Sparkle Cheer has grown into something incredibly meaningful. Watching our cheerleaders with special needs blossom, has been a great joy of my life. I’ve seen students learn to clap to the beat for the first time, master a simple routine, step onto the floor with confidence, or simply smile and make a friend.
I’ve also watched our MIHS cheerleaders grow in ways that go far beyond cheer. Through Sparkle, the Cheer Mentors learn to lead with kindness, leave the pressures and drama of high school behind, and connect in a genuine, down-to-earth way with teammates of all abilities. There is so much laughter, joy, dancing, and fun and those moments are what make Sparkle so special.
We celebrate often, through team parties, performances, and shared milestones and each celebration reflects just how much growth happens along the way. Sparkle Cheer has had the honor of performing at Special Olympics events, college halftime games, and many community gatherings, which are some of my favorite moments. Seeing familiar faces in the crowd light up as Sparkle Cheer takes the floor never gets old.
People often tell me how nice it is that coach Sparkle Cheer. But the truth is, what I receive in return is priceless. One smile means the world to me. Those smiles full of pride, joy, and belonging are everything.
Sparkle Cheer reminds me every day why inclusion matters, why connection matters, and how powerful it is when everyone is given the chance to shine. When everyone cheers, everyone wins!”
Parents of students with special needs
Mariya, Sasha’s Mom – Sasha Sparkle Cheerleader
“Because of Sparkle Cheer, Sasha’s dream of becoming a cheerleader came true. Sparkle Cheer has become her happy place a place where she feels welcomed, supported, and truly part of something special.
She loves Sparkle Cheer because she’s made so many friends, which is what she always wanted. Watching her perform with such joy, seeing how warmly she is embraced by her teammates, and witnessing her confidence grow has been incredibly meaningful for our entire family.
This experience has been truly life changing, and we are deeply grateful for this opportunity.”
Andrea, Gavin’s Mom – Gavin is a Senior “Sparkle Cheerleader”
“Sparkle Cheer has opened a whole new world for our son, Gavin. He began as a freshman who was nervous to join the team and has since transformed into a confident young man, capturing the attention of the entire crowd and proudly igniting school spirit.”
“Being a Sparkle mentor has completely changed the way I see cheer and the way I see people. I thought I was there to mentor, but I’ve learned so much more about patience, kindness, and joy from my Sparkle teammates. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, supporting each other, and having fun together.”
Kate, Team Captain
“Being part of Sparkle Cheer for four years has truly changed my perspective on why I cheer. It became this extra, unexpected part of cheer that I now can’t imagine my week without. Performing with them in front of their families and seeing how much they’ve grown to love cheer the same way my teammates and I do has been incredibly special. Sparkles gives every athlete the chance to be part of something big, and watching their confidence grow through each routine and performance has been one of my favorite parts of every week. I’ll be so sad to leave next year when I go to college, but I can’t wait to watch them continue to grow this amazing program — and I’ll be cheering for them from the stands!”
The Sparkle Cheer team is open to new high-school-age students with a broad range of special needs who may be seeking connection, confidence, and friendship. Sparkle welcomes individuals across all levels of the spectrum, as well as those who may simply be looking for a place to belong and build meaningful friendships.
For more information about Sparkle Cheer, please contact: Coach Jami Blumenstein
jamiblumenstein@gmail.com
Spread a little Sparkle wherever you go!
Sparkle Cheer reminds me every day why inclusion matters, why connection matters, and how powerful it is when everyone is given the chance to shine. When everyone cheers, everyone wins!