Softball squads, cheerleading squad emphasize unity, acceptance

HAZLETON – Be Different.

That was the message worn by the Hazleton and Northampton softball teams, as well as Hazleton’s unified cheerleading squad and many of the spectators at Thursday’s game.

The school district has been a regional leader in implementing regional sports, first with unified track and field, then bocce, and now unified cheerleading, the first in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The shirts — light blue with “Be Different” across the front, upside down — were a fundraiser by the Hazleton Cougar Club Unified group, raising money for the three programs which bring together students of all ability levels.

Members of the unified team threw the ceremonial first pitch before Thursday’s game and one — Andrew Uter — sang the national anthem.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

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