This Inspiring Cheerleader Shows the Power of Inclusion

Last year, we wrote about The Sparkle Effect, which was founded by cheerleader Sarah Cronk to help special-needs students get involved with cheerleading. Now, World of Children is partnering with Sarah to launch new cheer and dance teams across the U.S. “Parents of students with disabilities report that participation on a Sparkle Effect team results in better school attendance and higher grades,” Sarah said, adding that special-needs members of the organization’s cheer teams are more likely to join more school clubs and teams, like drama, newspaper, and band “because inclusion is not so much an activity as it is a way of thinking.” World of Children is hoping that by participating in more school activities and feeling included, more kids with disabilities will complete primary school, as currently less than 50 percent do. World of Children and The Sparkle Effect are out to change that with their Back to School Campaign. You can find out more, as well as ways to help, at worldofchildren.org/backtoschool.