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Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Gianna Antico and the rest of the Twinkles compete in a local competition, the Cheersport Philadelphia Grand Championship on Dec. 11. 2011, at the Liacouras Center at Temple University.
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Andrea Lipkus doesn't wait till she's at practice to start her stretching exercises as her mom, Valerie, drives her to the World Cup All Stars Gym in Freehold in October 2011.
Below is an excerpt from a 9-month project by New Jersey's Star-Ledger on the Twinkles - Chasing perfection: A tumble into the world of competitive cheerleading
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Andrea Lipkus, Gabby Cignetti, Camryn Sycoff and Samantha Santaniello pass the time giving massages as the Twinkles wait to perform on Nov. 20, 2011, at the Universal Cheerleading Association Northeast Championship in Toms River, NJ.
Jackie Freidman / The Star-Ledger:
The Twinkles, ages 8 through 12, train at the World Cup All Stars Gym in Freehold, where they are redefining what it means to be a cheerleader. Forget right now about what you see on the sidelines at football games. This is cheerleading as a high-flying sport whose soaring participants work like professionals, often devoting six or seven days every week to training.
They attend formal practice on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, take private lessons and flock to the gym for open tumbling sessions. Not even the slightest flaw is tolerated — they will repeat their 2-minute, 25-second routine with mind-numbing devotion for six months before performing it in front of an audience.
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
During the second day of the Athletic Championships on Jan. 29 in Providence, R.I., Gianna Antico and her stunt group take their turn practicing stunts in a small convention hall room.
But the Twinkles also act their age, chatting about "Toddlers & Tiaras," how much they hate hair spray and how blueberries turn their teeth purple — all while doing backflips.
"Cheerleading’s taken over the world," World Cup co-owner Elaine Pascale says. "It’s on TV. It’s in magazines. Our community has really grown to be very, very vast as far as encompassing a lot of lay people that never knew such a thing existed."
The girls are aware they are phenoms, devoting their unnaturally chiseled bodies, their time, their emotional capacity and their parents’ money — some more than $10,000 a year — to being the best. Because when you’re a Twinkle, nothing else matters.
Read the complete story -- Chasing perfection: A tumble into the world of competitive cheerleading
Related links:
- nj.com/twinkles
- Photo gallery: Twinkles at practice - Part 1 & Part 2
- Photo gallery: Twinkles in competition - Part 1 & Part 2
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Lauren Preston gets some help stretching from her mother, Lori, as other Twinkles look on and her teddy bear sits nearby at the Rebel Classic Cheer Championship at Howell High School on Jan. 15. The teddy bear, which she has had since birth and goes everywhere with her, was always close by, until she lost it on a competitive trip to Florida later in the season.
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Gianna Antico hugs Andrea Lipkus to cheer her up after Andrea had a "mind block" and wasn't able to tumble during Twinkles practice in February at the World Cup All Stars Gym.
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Brighid Gibney reacts to the cold spray as she is spray-tanned by cheer mom Dorn Stephenson in a hotel stairwell the night of Jan. 27, before the Twinkles compete at the Athletic Championships in Providence, R.I.
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Nikki Ryan kills time by throwing her American Girl doll into the air while waiting for all the World Cup cheerleading teams to finish on the first day of the NCA All-Star National Championship on Feb. 25.
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Bella Matrone, center, and Brighid Gibney carry the NCA All-Star National Championship trophy and banner offstage after the Twinkles won in Dallas on Feb. 26.
Saed Hindash / The Star-Ledger
Alexis Adamo couldn't wait to go to sleep in her NCA All-Star National Championship jacket after the Twinkles placed first in Dallas on Feb. 26.
Leave a Comment:
As a parent and father for life, a retired schoolteacher, a Scoutmaster of 35 years, and a Christian, I feel deep in my heart that it is wonderful that these children can accomplish this and make there parents proud. But are the children as proud? Whats next? Middle school cheerleader? High school cheerleader? Maybe a cheerleader for a pro-team? I wouldn't appreciate my son going out with a cheerleader nor would I appreciate my son marrying one. Cheerleaders are great - don't get me wrong but how many cheerleaders are still cheering in their 30's? or 40's? or 50's? I would rather my son marrying a lawyer, doctor, dentist, or even a school teacher. As for little girls or pre-teen or wee-teens cheering - STOP!!!! Think for a minute. Aren't there enough pedophiles or sickos around without rewarding them with a new menu. This article was done tastefully and so are the pictures. Those kids did great. Now look at the photos as you think a pervert might look at them. The pictures look different. Our moral position as parents and leaders of society is to protect all our children, mine and yours, but when we put skimpy outfits on little girls and cosmetics - are we missing something? Are we overlooking something? Please get rid of the cosmetics and dress more appropriately - PROTECT OUR CHILDREN!
Wow Sawdusty, nice "Christian" you are. Judgmental much, are we? I used to teach HS, and know a young lady who as a student was a football cheerleader. She went on to college, where after six years of attending classes year round, and also serving as Student Government President and representing her college at national functions, she earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy. So stop with the stereotypes, it makes you look stupid.
So you're saying because of her being a cheerleader it helped her to get her Doctorate? REALLY? Pointing the finger doesn't seem to be your strong suit SKIPPY.
Lynnial, you've completely missed my point. He was stereotyping cheerleaders into being nothing but vacuous, self-involved girls who never amount to anything and I was simply pointing out that just because someone is a cheerleader doesn't mean that's all she is and has no goals or the ability to achieve them. I made no inference to the idea that her being a cheerleader led her to achieve her later goals, so I have no idea where you got that from. I also liked his comment about wanting his son to marry "even a school teacher", as if that's not an honorable profession...but I guess since his other hopes were for a doctor, lawyer or dentist, he's more concerned about money. Again, he sounds like a wonderful "Christian", and the only reason I bring that up is that he made a point of professing it...as if that means anything in relation to this article. And the next time you comment, refer to me by name instead of "Skippy"...I've shown you both that same respect.
larry,just read all that.i understood you+and your point.you respond to one stupid point,only to be hit by another.just sayin,im on your side.
I take great offense at your comment. My daughter is a 19 year old college student who is still involved with all star cheerleading. She does so for the pure love of her sport. She has a great work ethic, she does well in school and she is a heck of an athlete. She has friends who are cheering for their college who are pursuing their degrees in Pre Law, Pre Med etc. She also cheers with women in their 40's who are professionals and keep up with their sport and they are in amazing shape.
Wow, great to know so many people out there are pedophiles! What is wrong with this world children should be children . People should not condone such things, STOP PROMOTING THIS STUFF! ITS DISGUSTING!
Do you actually know the meaning of Pedophile?
-defined as a psychiatric disorder in persons who are 16 years of age or older typically characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children (generally age 13 years or younger, though onset of puberty varies). The prepubescent child must be at least five years younger than the adolescent before the attraction can be diagnosed as pedophilia.[1][2][3][4][5]
Where did you get the idea from this article????????????????????????
and did you know that it is documented in the annals of psychiatry that those who are sexual predators CAN NOT be rehabilitated? there is no pill to stop the screwed up brain chemistry in sexual perverts?
true...honestly.
I made a big sticky mess in my underwear and now I have to go to confession.
Do some laundry first
I respect the athleticism of this. The self confidence it can give the girls. But the waay too revealing outfits for girls this age and on "princess" and "we're the homecoming queens" bugs me. They're creating some seriously over-inflated egos and sense of entitlement. The parents can be appalling in children's sports - butt out - life isn't fair and kids need to learn there is always someone smarter, prettier, better, faster, whatever than you.
I agree what you said about the outfits and producing over-inflated egos. The world needs more people working together who are outwardly focused, not just impressed with their own accomplishments. We don't need any more narcissists. Let little girls be. There is an entire world out there like science, environmentalism, math etc.
Shame. No one gets a real childhood anymore. It's pressure almost from the time you're born. And you can't convince me that the repetitive trauma of being thrown up high and then landing doesn't hurt the growing ends of bones.
Another proving, hunting, & playground for the Pedos. Just Like Sandusky, organized youth sports, youth charities, beauty pageants, the boy scouts, and organized religion.
Sports are a wonderful thing for girls, BUT why the makeup etc? They also could use a different outfit, something a bit more modest for that age. Too bad little girls can't enjoy their early years in a wholesome way.
As a father of a male cheerleader that is now 18 1/2. I will share with you the following thoughts:
First, before any of you "knock" this sport, please get up off your backside and call your local High School and check out when the first "Competitve Cheerleading" competition will take place.
Second, after you have attended this event come back and post.
During the fall of my sons Freshman year of High School, he came to his mother and I and told us that he wanted to tryout for "cheer". I about fell out of my chair. I was the "stereotypical" sport nut growing up. In fact, I was a PE major in college and competed my entire life in numerous sports. So, when he came to us and informed us of his desire, I was not to excited. He tried out and did not make the team.
It was that point at which my son decided he wanted to "train" off season to be ready for his Sophomore year of HS.
Fast forward, after about 9 months of very dedicated workouts, he tried out again and he made the squad. Then after some typical HS drama crap, he was asked to move from the JV squad to Varisty as a Sophomore.
This is when we first experienced what Cheerleading is truly about.
After attending my first "Cheer competition", I was utterly speechless. The skills that these young ladies possess and the dedication to off season training is unlike most other sport. I can confidently say, that IF you do as I said at the beginning and seek out a Cheer competition, you'll have very different comments to make.
In all fairness, I do have to say, that the "hair, makeup, and outfits" are truly not necessary, but please do not knock the efforts of Cheerleaders without watching what it takes for them to compete.
Finally, my son is now a tumbling instructor and is going to Jr college in preparation (academically) to transfer (he hopes!) to University of Iowa. He is hoping that Cheer will pay for his schooling. A high quality cheerleader (male or female) is REQUIRED to dedicate an UNBELIEVABLE amount of training that either exceeds or rivals ANY other physical sport. (ie...Football, Soccer, Rugby and many others). He submitted a video tryout and was invited to tryout this past summer for UofI Cheer, but academically was not able to. So, he is working both academically and athletically to prepare for the opportunity to cheer at UofIowa! Those young ladies that are thrown into the air and complete three full rotations before being caught by teammates have trained and worked on very specific skills that are not easy to come by. Not to mention, it takes a great deal of trust to be caught from being thrown as high as 20-25ft in the air. (Our HS squad threw a young lady nearly 25-30ft!) It truly is amazing athleticism.
I hope your perception is slightly better than before you read my post. Its a great sport and is very underappreciated. Watch it THEN judge. I think your eyes will be opened immensely.
no one reads more than 4 or 5 lines on here. your post is absurdly too long. that being said cheer-leading is not a sport; its a competition no different than a beauty contest. dressing up little girls to look like adults is disturbing and any parent that would let their daughter do this needs mental help.
AMEN Uncle Henry!
AMEN and a Go Hawks! (My husband is from Iowa) Good luck to your son. I also laugh when people assume that all male cheerleaders are gay. I know a great many male cheerleaders and these guys are beasts!
hey mom! where is your daughter's seatbelt?
Exactly what I was wondering! In the beginning of the film the mother taking her daughter to practice and the kid does not have a seat belt on! So much for the safetly of your daughter.
show your crotch little girls...what pervert lets their daughter do this?
they look like little sluts. go America. Never thinking of consequences.
why would any parent allow such a young girl to wear half clothing and so much makeup like a grown woman? I'm not at all knocking the sport and I'm all for kids being competitive but I would never allow my daughter to be that adult like at such a young age.
same like that ridiculous show "toddlers with tiaras"...that's child-abuse in disguise as a TV show!
The parents don't think about their daughters or anything else but having bragging rights at the local club. Ever have a chance just sit down and talk to one of the mothers of cheerleaders and you will see what I mean.
Notice there are no (or very few) minority girls in these pageants? Also, I'm all for seeing kids getting exercise and gymnastics would be a far better choice imo.
This, like 'Tiaras, is simply exploiting little girls. Dance little monkey, dance. The parents should be ashamed of themselves.
You noticed that too, Cheerleading is for the most part only a white club, but in some cases they allow different minorities in. Also have you ever seen an ugly cheerleader? NOPE, its only for the pretty little girls.
(fwap) (fwap) (fwap) (fwap)...
thank you nbcnews for my morning release!
Mothers quote "she had no choice"! The mothers (AND I SAY THAT LIGHTLY) grow up and get fat and have nothing to do but live through their children, to exploit their children for there own self worth! Sick.... I have an idea hey Moms instead of abusing you children try hitting the gym and loose half your body weight! These kids have no life and when they become Moms they will also become fat, selfless, abusing Moms. Just look at the puffiness under their eyes and then look at the moms... same beat look! Rich fat women that no longer have men interested in them so they create vain stepford robot cheerleaders...
AND you wonder why there are more and more pedophiles in the world? wonder no more! the parents and the parental drive to promote what they themselves cannot do! Parents and the parental morals are the problem, and the Media insatiable appetite to promote prepubescent youth! welcome to Hollywood, hey! we are not responsible! we are just greedy, and exploitative! not unlike slavery, but this time it is the youth ,not kidnapped blacks from Africa.
I really wish people would stop bashing what they don't know about. My daughter started cheering when she was 6 yrs old after 3 years of begging! She competed for 5 years with a wonderful Cheer gym until we moved overseas where there is no cheer. She is counting the days until we move back home and she can pick up where she left off. No one forced her or her cheer friends to do 2-3 practices a week not including tumbling practice. No one forced the, to do the team sleepovers where they've made lifelong friends! No one forced them to go to cheer camp where they had more fun in 4 days than they did all summer! They do it because they love it! They do it because they become a family! They do it because they are good at it! The girls dont get spray tans just for competition, the younger girls are not allowed to wear make up and their uniforms dont show their stomachs, like older uniforms, but of course the real lives of most competitive cheerleaders wouldn't make as good a news story. If my daughter gets "knocked up," it won't be because of her competitive Cheerleading. Her Coaches are more strict than we are and we are pretty strict conservative Catholic family. They don't allow drinking, smoking, bullying or pregnant girls and have kicked kids, (and parents,) out of the program for bad behavior. Before you start mouthing off, just because you see "Pagent Mom's" on TV doesn't mean everyone, everywhere is like them. There is a reason they are on reality tv and the rest of us are just in reality.
oink oink!
you will be next in court, defending your parental materanal judgement! buy your kid a pig as a pet!
You just said the truth "the coaches are more strict than we are" Who is the parent here? She wanted to do it so you have explioted her by allowing it. By the way not one school in the nation allows bullying, drinking, drugs, smoking, etc. BUT it still happens!!!!!!!!! Evidently you like bragging at the local Country Club with all the other cheer mothers. Don't move back to the US its safer for your daughter.
Saddened, I understand what your are saying. Come on back to the States!
I'm still waiting to meet a cheerleader who isn't a totally self centered B!tch who thinks the world doesn't revolve around them. I worked for a college where I was in contact with cheerleaders everyday and also worked cheerleader camps during the summer, the attitude is the same for 4th grade girls as it is for college girls. ME! ME! ME! its all about me, they will cut the throats of the other girls just to get ahead. But after meeting many, many parents who were pompus A$$ES, I can see where they get the self absorbed me syndrom. Not to worry the athletes in college hit on the young cheerleaders just to make them feel good about them selves and will take advantage of them at the drop of a hat.
Parents don't care that their children are abused and mentally beaten as long as the child does better and better, if you don't believe it just go to any school in the nation and watch cheerleader practice and sit back and enjoy the mental abuse begin.
give a girl a chance to spread her legs, and she will take it, along with the mom, milf!
Buffalo and Lynnial, it's a toss-up as to which of you is the bigger moron.
I Have a 9yr old daughter who has been cheering for three years now. They do not allow all of that makeup and glitz at the competitions in this area. They judge the competitions by skill not glitz! And she is a very smart young lady at her young age. She puts schooling first before playing (her choice) and she loves what she does.
I'd like to introduce you to my 19 year old daughter in college who attends classes in sweats a t shirt, hair in ponytail and wearing no makeup. I just roll my eyes. My daughter has a terrible self image but that came from girls who were vicious in middle school and high school. These girls played field hockey, soccer, LAX and were on the student council. Cheerleading (all star) and not her high school team, gives her confidence. That is where she knows she shines with her strength, tumbling and stunting. Her only attitude is the one she tries to have at home which I'm sure is like any other teen. Please stop what you believe is the stereo typical cheerleader. You are painting too broad a brush.
I just finished watching this and have been reading many of the comments.
First off, these little girls are great. They train so very hard. It also appears that they so want to be good and compete to be the best. And yes again, they are so darn good.
But, I do agree with so many of the posters. Why do so many feel it is necessary to dress up these children the way they do. I believe that it is because this is what our now society has done. I look at our recent Olympics. Our female gymnastics also have to do the makeup, the hair, and yes, the look. I also feel what would people say if they didn't do their hair and have on all the makeup. Look at what they did to Gabbie for her hair.
Sadly, today, as a young female in this type of competition you can't get forward without having the "looks". I wish them all the very best as they grow in life. These young ladies are driven to be the best. I honestly feel they wanted to do this and it wasn't a parent pushing them. (ok, maybe some were pushed) but I feel most really wanted to do this unlike those toddlers and tiars (sp). That is just sick. Just my opinion.
A childhood destroyed by parents ambitions. Let kids be kids and play. Cheerleaders shows start looking to much like North Korean celebrations.
The media loves, loves exploitation of youth, under age, and the money ti brings in! they are whoring out our kids for their financial gains and calling it progressive democracy!
"This is cheerleading as a high-flying sport whose soaring participants work like professionals, often devoting six or seven days every week to training."
Fitness has it's place, but I've got to think if they put half that time into education, that'd walk away with lifelong benefits. There's a limit to how many people get their own show on TLC.
TLC=SATAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
demonrats love underage boys and girls to exploit, that is why the prisons are full of demonrats! they are all pedophiles. HOMO and pedophiles! that is who is killing our kids!
I am surprised Obama is not pimping out his daughters, too! all for votes! that will be next.
what a terrible thing to say.
Buffalo wins, definitely the bigger moron.
Great job girls, I love cheerleaders, I think there great, very gracefull like ballet in a sort, so they look alittle older than they should, so what, get over it. Everyone knows that looks are the king now a days just like having alot of money