Photo from @NWC_Athletics via Twitter.
Shania Lapsey, a 2018 graduate of Northwest Catholic High School, has been named the recipient of The 2018 Nina Poeta Trail of Glitter CT Cheerleader Award and Scholarship.
She was presented the award and a $1,000 scholarship Dec. 15 during half-time of the basketball game at the high school by John and Dorie Poeta, parents of Nina Poeta.
Shania was chosen from numerous nominations for her kindness, enthusiasm, leadership and community service.
Her coach describes her as having a joyous spirit, and as gentle, caring and hard-working, with a no-nonsense attitude and the best sense of humor; a model athlete.
She has volunteered working with children at Catholic Charities as a Youth Leader, and took charge of this year’s fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her counselor says she is a “true joy” and “we will miss her light at our school.”
Poeta
The award is the only statewide award for cheerleaders besides the CIAC Cheerleader of the Year Award. Graduating seniors can be nominated by their coaches and teachers for outstanding kindness, character, leadership and charitable community service.
Nina was an outgoing, funny, beautiful, smart, caring and talented 16 year-old All-State Cheerleader when she was diagnosed just before Thanksgiving 2013 with DIPG, a rare brain tumor.
She inspired the entire “Valley,” the state, the cheer community and beyond with her grace and courage before passing away on Nov.1, 2014. The Nina Poeta Scholarship Fund was created in her memory.
The Nina Poeta Scholarship Committee presents three annual award scholarships to graduating seniors from the The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley ($250), Seymour High School ($500), and a 4‑year varsity cheerleader from Connecticut ($1,000) and has awarded over $7,000 in scholarships to date.
Last year, The Nina Poeta Fund was transferred to the Valley Community foundation.
Family and friends continue to fundraise for the fund in hopes the awards can become perpetual.
