Show of spirit: Featured performers radiate spirit for schools and communities

Sep. 24—Their costumes may be dazzling and their performances captivating, but it's who they are on the inside that makes them shine.

Cloaked in sequins, rhinestones and velvet and wielding swords, batons and tridents, these 10 young women impress crowds under the Friday night lights of their high schools. Off the field, the grace, commitment and pride they show for their classmates, neighbors and towns are what set them apart as leaders.

We're proud to introduce the 2023-2024 featured performers.

MISS INVADER

West Scranton High School

Name: Paris Santee

Grade: Senior

Parents: Rich and Nicole Santee

Future plans: To study in nursing in college.

Did you know? "My fall is really busy. In addition to cheer, I am also the only girl on West's golf team, and at the same time I am preparing to dance in Ballet Theatre of Scranton's production of 'The Nutcracker.'"

MISS KNIGHT

Scranton High School

Name: Canyah Randle

Grade: Senior

Parents: Carisa Boatman and Chase Randle

Future plans: To attend college and become an occupational therapist.

Did you know?: "I've been cheering since I was four (years old.)"

MISS VIKING

Riverside Junior-Senior High School

Name: Cassie Jenkins

Grade: Senior

Parents: Beth and Tom Jenkins

Future plans: Attend a six-year physical therapy program.

Did you know?: "I was an all-star cheerleader for 10 years."

MISS BUCK

Dunmore High School

Name: Mia Irving

Grade: Sophomore

Parents: Maura and Patrick Irving

Future plans: Go to a four-year school and major in education.

Did you know?: "I am the first Miss Buck that is not a senior."

MISS COMET

Abington Heights High School

Name: Elizabeth Erickson

Grade: Senior

Parent: Janet Erickson

Future plans: To pursue a degree in education.

Did you know?: "I have been playing the piano since I was four years old, dancing since I was five. I have been doing theater, whether it be camps or school musicals, since I was in fifth grade. I also have been doing choir since seventh grade. Now, I'm in honors choir in my senior year. I also have been doing bandfront since my sophomore year."

MISS DEVILETTE

Old Forge Junior-Senior High School

Name: Isabella Burti

Grade: Senior

Parents: Scott and April Burti

Future plans: To go to college and further my educational career.

Did you know?: "I'm also a cheerleader, and I'm a lifeguard during the summer."

MISS SPARTAN

Mid Valley Secondary Center

Name: Kylee Mancuso

Grade: Junior

Parents: Amy and Steven Mancuso

Future plans: To study criminal defense law.

Did you know?: "I have been twirling since I was nine years old, and I currently twirl batons, fire and knives."

MISS TROJAN

North Pocono High School

Name: Lydia Monroe

Grade: Senior

Parents: Joy and Mike Monroe

Future plans: Anything in relation to music-performance.

Did you know?: "Dinosaurs can't twirl baton."

MISS COUGAR

Valley View High School

Name: Summer Chapman

Grade: Junior

Parents: Bryan and Kristy Chapman

Future plans: I would like to study criminal law or maybe medicine.

Did you know? "I have been a twirler for Lynnette's Twirlerettes going on 13 years this year. I twirled in New York at the Statue of Liberty and in the Columbus Parade."

MISS CHIEF

Lakeland Junior-Senior High School

Name: Madeline Miller

Grade: Senior

Parents: Dorothy Miller and Jeff Miller

Future plans: To major in psychology and forensic science.

Did you know?: "(When trying out for Miss Chief), I was confident in myself that I was prepared for my questions and personal routine, but I definitely did not know (for sure). I was very nervous, and while waiting for everyone to finish tryouts, I was just thinking to myself, 'I didn't get it, there's no way.' Sure enough, when my name was announced, I just started crying from happiness."

Contact the writers: [email protected], 5790-348-9127; [email protected]