Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAY, JAnUArY 16, 2026 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus There was certainly a lot to cheer about on Tuesday night in the second floor auditorium of Town Hall. At least for the first half hour. The first order of business for the Board of Selectmen at its first meeting of the year was to finish signing 43 citations that were later awarded to the invited guests – members of Saugus’ U10 Level 2 Cheerleaders – the Rockstars, who were 2025 New England Champions and won third place in the American Youth Cheer Championship in Florida; the U12 Elite, who finished second in the Nationals, and the U14 Elite, who finished third in the Nationals. Each of the girls – ranging in age from eight to 14 years old – received a rousing ovation from the crowd of family, friends and supporters as they went up individually to receive a citation congratulating their accomplishments and handshakes from the five selectmen. Here are the three cheerleading squads that were honored: The U10 Saugus Sachems Rock Stars (in the eight to 10 age bracket): Temi Animashaun, Ariyah Antoine, Charlotte Applegate, Stella Bacci, Isabella Bluestein, Anaya Boyd, Karen Boyd, Olivia Bridges, Brynn Clifford, Avellina Dellheim, Ava Doherty, Dakota Dost, Maya Elivert, Caroline Gianatassio, Madison Giglio, Faith Harrington, Kiara Hernandez, Savannah Kelley, Avaleigh Kohr, Evelyn Lauziere, Grace Lester, Amelia Lewis, Francesca Lincoln, Alessandra MacTaggart, Mila McDonough, Elena Melon, Hadley Nichols, Evelyn Powers, Melanie Rodriguez, Melissa Santos, Kylie Serino, Josephine Vitiello, Grace Whitehurst and Olivia Zawadzki. Head Coaches: Jenn Kohr and Jill Lauziere. Assistant Coaches: Stephanie Bluestein, Daphne Lewis, Jamie Palladino, Missy Pantano and Courtney Whitehurst. The U12 Elite (in the 10 to 12 age bracket): Elizabeth Silipigni, Eva Colaianni, Avaleigh Kohr and Evelyn Lauziere. The U14 Elite (in the 12 to 14 age bracket): Holly BerLuther King Jr. Day holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, Jan. 19, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Residents are kindly asked to leave trash and recycling curbside by 7 a.m. the day after their normally scheduled collection day. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-2314036 with any questions. CITATIONS FOR A CHEERING CROWD: The U10 Saugus Sachems Rock Stars celebrated their third place finish in National competition with the Board of Selectmen at Tuesday night’s meeting. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) ridge, Aryanna Dipietro, Stella Bulla, Sadi Bulla and Sophia Alexandre. “I speak for myself and my fellow coaches when I say that these 34 incredible girls deserve to be celebrated with intention, so thank you for inviting us here tonight,” Coach Jenn Kohr told the audience about the Rock Stars. She marveled at how the team members carried themselves all season long. “They have learned lifelong lessons that I know they will take with them throughout their journeys,” she said. “Beyond the mat, they were kind competitors — cheering on other teams, playing games, and having fun with them while waiting to perform. Watching how they interacted with others reminded me just how big their hearts truly are,” she said. Kohl expressed gratitude for the community at-large for backing the Rock Stars. “We have many people to thank for their unwavering support,” she said. “To our parents — ‘thank you’ will never be enough. Thank you for the countless drives to practice, the long competition days, the behind-thescenes help, and the constant encouragement. Your support allowed this team to thrive and helped create memories these girls will carry forever. This season truly would not have been possible without you,” she said. “To my fellow coaches — together, we have set the example of what true teamwork looks like. I genuinely cannot imagine coaching alongside anyone more dedicated, supportive, and committed than each of you.” Kohl thanked “our incredible community, expressing gratitude “to everyone who supported our team through donations and fundraising efforts — from team sponsorships and collection cans at JPace’s and Kowloon, to dinners at Scopa, and football squares purchased from our athletes. Your generosity made this journey possible, and we are deeply grateful.” “I’d also like to thank our League President, Greg Bluestein, our Cheer Directors, Charlene Berridge and Allison DiPietro, as well as the Saugus Youth Football & Cheer Board members for all of their support throughout the season. Special thanks to Kristen Shipulski and all of the SYFC coaches who stepped up to help us out as we prepared for Nationals,” she said. “Finally, to my family and daughter Avaleigh, thank you because none of this would be possible without you. “This season may be over, but the impact, memories, and friendships will last far beyond it. Thank you to the Town of Saugus for believing in our athletes and supporting youth sports. It meant so much to these girls to represent their town on a national stage, and they carried the name of Saugus with pride every step of the way. I am so incredibly proud. They truly are the Saugus Sachems ROCKSTARS.” Saugus United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Jan. 16) from 9:3011 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office (781-233-2663) or go to the website (cliftondalecc.org) for details. Legion Breakfast on Fridays There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2026 season. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free. One-day holiday trash delay The Town of Saugus announces that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Martin This week’s “Shout Outs” We received two nominations from Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo this week: “The first ‘Shout Out’ goes to Joanie Allbee for the beautiful painting she painted for Bill and Pollie Stewart, titled ‘Hope Alight,’ that was featured in last week’s Advocate. The painting is stunning. Joanie is truly an artist. “The second ‘Shout Out’ is for the DPW Department thanking them for the outstanding job they did with the Christmas lights again this year. They outdo themselves every year!” Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast. net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. C.H.a.R.M. Center winter dates The Town of Saugus Solid Waste/Recycling Department announced that the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (C.H.a.R.M.) will be open on the following winter dates, weather permitting: Saturday, Jan. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, from 8 SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 11
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