Girls Bask in Their New Destiny: Cheerleaders

Cheerleading, he noted, "is a particularly lively, joyful one" -- and so at odds with the exclusion of the past, when many children with special needs spent idle hours at home.

Destiny continues to welcome new members amid many signs that the girls have discovered something distinct.

The night members of Destiny received their uniforms, Marissa Melletz, 11, was so happy she slept in hers, her father said.

Even now, Ayaan Ayorinde will sometimes dress in her uniform at home just to look in the mirror or create routines for her family to watch. At school, the other kids in her special-ed classes know she is a cheerleader.

"She knows this is a place where she is loved and where she loves performing," said Ayaan's mother. She added: "This was the first thing she belonged to."

Kristi Messer, mother of Hannah, said she sees what she has wanted for her daughter for years: friendships formed with other girls. "It gave her a social network of kids who are very much like herself," said Messer, a teacher, who noted that Hannah's special-ed classes are dominated by boys. Before, she said, "no one ever called for a sleepover or a play date."

The connection between the girls was clear at the Dream gym's annual picnic. Girls from eight cheer and dance teams were there, and coaches gave out individual awards.

For Marissa, on the Destiny team, waiting was hard.

All at once, she burst into tears.

Quietly, her teammates nudged up close to her side.

Chloe gathered the smaller girl on her lap and rocked her. Hannah, Victoria and Tiffany patted Marissa's shoulder, whispered, let her know it would be okay.

When the Destiny awards were finally called, Marissa was named the team's dance diva.

Victoria was the best tumbler.

Hannah showed the best facial expression.

Tiffany was most-spirited.

For working hard, and encouraging others, Chloe got the "Dream award."