Several parents, students and alumnae are upset over a decision by the Delaware Valley Regional High School Board of Education not to renew its contract with Kimmy Sweet, head coach of the school's cheerleading program.
The following two letters were written about the decision by the Delaware Valley Regional High School Board of Education not to renew its contract with Kimmy Sweet, head coach of the school's cheerleading program.
To the editor:
As a longtime Holland Township resident, I am writing to express my deepest disappointment and disbelief in the Delaware Valley Regional High School Board of Education and in its administration.
In a single shocking meeting, three-fourths of the school board decided not to reinstate Kimmy Sweet as head cheer coach, a position she has held for over 10 years in this district.
Unfortunately, the board has chosen to hear the false accusations of two school employees rather than hear the voices of hundreds of parents, students, ex-cheerleaders, community residents, present cheerleaders and coaches, past and present. Two people set out to destroy Sweet's reputation as one of the finest cheer coaches not only in our county, but also in our state and in our country. Her reputation and accomplishments speak for itself.
Sweet got her day to present her evidence and rebut what the athletic director and the assistant coach were saying. However, never in Sweet's wildest dreams did she ever foresee the damage these two people were doing working together to try to destroy the cheerleading program that Sweet has worked so very hard in her 10 years at Del Val high school.
Luckily the testimony of her girls, the parents she has worked with over the years, past coaches and Mr. Linden disputed all the claims these two people made.
Outrage follows ousting of cheerleading coach
However, this board already branded Sweet before her day in court. After her deliberation to show these claims were untrue, after testimony from witnesses that these claims were based on false accusations, this board, after two short hours, voted no to rehire Sweet.
Thank goodness we have two board members that have a heart, that have a conscience and voted "yes" to reinstate Sweet. As a taxpayer and a parent of an ex-cheerleader, I want to personally thank Brett Reina and Sandra Howell. You are the only two board members that are willing to stand up when an injustice has occurred.
This board, minus two board members, displays a total lack of leadership and a disturbing hierarchy of priorities. This board has only one agenda and it's not an agenda that supports the wishes of the students here at Del Val high school or the community.
Instead, board members have branded Sweet and now have set up a hostile environment not only for their students, but also for the sending districts. Rather than embrace Sweet's accomplishments and her dedication as huge assets to the district, they have chosen to rid the best thing that ever walked through the doors of the Del Val high school.
The action this board has taken against Sweet is outrageous and cannot be tolerated by the residents of this community. We will no longer be silent. This board should be ashamed. As a long time resident and taxpayer of this community, I am sickened by their actions and the lack of thereof.
The board has chosen to ignore the overwhelming facts and testimonies presented to them by students, parents, colleagues, and community members. After 10 years of success, it is disgusting that we have a board that lacks commitment or will not listen to the people they were voted in by.
I want to end with what my daughter, Ashley Regan, has expressed in words that she holds so dear to heart:
"Trust me when I say ... Even though they have taken away your coaching position, no one will ever take away the gift you have given to all the girls that have walked through the program. I would not be the person I am today if it wasn't for you. You have inspired me in so many ways you don't even know. I have made so many decisions and taken on so many journeys because of you.
"It breaks my heart that you cannot continue giving girls what you have given me. Power, strength, and heart. You have given me heart. Heart to have a passion for this amazing thing called 'cheerleading' and heart for living a passionate life." It's shame that this amazing gift that Kimmy Sweet empowers will no longer be able to be shared with anyone new walking through the doors of Del Val High School. The majority of this school board squashed the dreams of so many girls - inspiring them to be the best they can."
Drew Regan
Holland Township
To the editor:
As you may know there has been a great deal of controversy and disagreement involving Delaware Valley Regional High School in recent days and as an alum I cannot be more disappointed by what I've seen. There's have been many times I have thought to write this letter but just couldn't possibly figure out where to begin.
Let me begin by introducing myself, as previously stated I am a graduate of DVR and more proudly a member of the Del Val cheer family. Yes, that's what I said, family. The reason we call it a family and the reason so many of us, generations of us, are in uproar these days is because of the treatment of our most respected and loved member to date, Kimmy Sweet.
Ten years ago I was a senior in high school, still learning many lessons in life, many I wouldn't have learned without cheer and more importantly Kimmy. I learned the commitment it took to show up and practice hard everyday from August until March.
Jr. Terriers place in national competition
It was this commitment that led me to not miss my classes or assignments as an undergrad student. I learned the discipline it look to practice a back tuck, over and over on my own, until I didn't take a single step. It was this discipline that helped me study for my GRE on my own while working three jobs and pursuing a Master's degree.
I learned perseverance that it takes to try a stunt repeatedly when it just feels impossible. It was this perseverance that led me through two graduate level programs this past year. And most importantly I learned loyalty to my teammates and coaches, a trait that I admire in myself and everyone of the DVC family.
You see cheerleading, like many youth athletics, is not just about winning. It's not just about skill. It's not just about what you can do physically. It's about what the athlete can learn and carry through a lifetime. It's the knowledge they can give future generations of athletes.
By taking away Kimmy, you are taking away the chance for girls to have all these wonderful opportunities to learn the lessons I have. You are taking away the chance for girls to be athletes, highly respectable, D1A college athletes (yes, DVC alumni are just that). You are stripping away a future for many without even acknowledging what their parents and more importantly they are asking for.
Lastly, you are doing this because of people's opinions who know nothing about the intricacies of cheerleading.
It seems the best place to end is on that note, the intricacies. What I mean by this is how unique cheerleading is. It is constantly evolving and with that there are new rule and safety regulations implemented every year by the governing bodies.
As an almost 20 year staff member for Universal Cheerleaders Association, Kimmy is more experienced in this regard than the majority of coaches in the nation let alone the state. It would be not only a shame to release a coach who knows safety this well but also a serious cause for concern to hire one that does not know safety such as the last coach the AD hired.
I don't know if it is too late to help out our beloved coach, but if it's not, I continue to urge every one of you to support the tradition of excellence we have worked so long and hard to build. DVC forever.
Cory Breithoff
Holland Township