This week we Take Five with Casey Jade Leibla, a 10-year-old who attends Apshawa Elementary School who loves cheering. Casey's team finished first at nationals - a huge highlight for this enthusiastic young woman. She also loves to read and is known to toss the softball around for the DQ Blizzards. Be sure to go to westmilfordmessenger.com for our bonus five with Casey.
1) How did you get involved with cheerleading?
I cheered for the recreation competition program in town for two years, and when that wasn't possible last year, I chose to go to JuST Cheer! It is a great gym with awesome coaches and over 150 other athletes. The J, S and T are capitalized for a reason-the girls concentrate on jumping, stunting and tumbling.
2) What would most people be surprised to know about cheerleading?
That cheer is a sport. It is a lot more than just going out and yelling Rah Rah and looking pretty. Our teams practice a lot of hours each week and it takes true dedication and focus from every teammate to excel and win competitions.
3) Share a favorite moment with your team.
Our team traveled all over the east coast, from Nationals in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Ocean City, Md., to Hartford, Conn. In Ocean City, Md., my team won a full paid bid to the US Finals in Providence, R.I. But the best moment was when my team won first place at the US Finals in Providence. We place tenth overall in the entire US.
4) What do you do with your time when you are not cheering?
I like to read, write and draw. I also like to play softball. I play for the Dairy Queen Blizzards.
5) Share something no one knows about you.
My Dad is a hunter and has taught me to shoot a bow and arrow. I am a pretty good shot.
Congratulations on that big win at Nationals, Casey. We're sure there are more on the way for someone as dedicated as you.
Do you know someone who should be featured here at Take Five? Send us their name and email address and tell us why. We want to feature all the great kids in our community.
Bonus Five 6) Who is your biggest inspiration?
That would be KT, my coach at JuST Cheer! She gave me a lot of confidence and really drove me to excel at everything I do. She is a level 10 gymnast and a terrific tumbling coach.
7) Who is your favorite teacher of all time and why?
Miss Becker, my 4th grade teacher. She is my favorite teacher because she showed me how much fun reading can be and also has taught me a lot of cool things this year.
8) Name three things you would bring with you if you were on a deserted island.
Food, water and a blanket. 9) What does being a Highlander mean to you?
I take pride in living in West Milford.
10) What is your favorite movie/book/character and why?
I love Harry Potter! I read all of the books at the beginning of the school year, and it really made me love to read.