‘Pom Squad’ aims to cheer Coachella Valley with social distancing video
"The Pom Squad may be down right now because of COVID-19, but we're not out!" said Terri Koepenick in an email to News Channel 3. Koepenick is President of The Pom Squad, described as "California's only Senior (55+) Cheerleading Squad."
Before the stay-at-home order, the group was planning to perform for residents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Considering the current limitations, they found a new solution: a video to cheer people up during this stressful and isolating time.
"We're playing so cool, obeying every rule."
The cheer is set to an adapted version of the Kenny Loggins song "Footloose," with new lyrics including,"So we gotta cut loose, and boost, kick off corona blues."
Watch it for yourself here:
Koepenick tells News Channel 3 she started The Pom Squad in 2109, inspired by the movie "Poms." It originated in Sun City, Shadow Hills, but has expanded beyond that community. The group is made up of 19 women and one man.
"It seems like we started out in June and we went non-stop until COVID-19 hit. We were in the Pride Parade and the Festival of Lights along with a myriad of grand openings and charitable events in the Coachella Valley," Koepenick said.
For more information on The Pom Squad, click here.
Celebrating #NeighborhoodHeroes
While the coronavirus crisis is keeping us apart, we know the Coachella Valley community is still coming together to help each other.
We are looking for those who are lending a hand during this uncertain time. Do you know of any everyday people who are going out of their way to help others? Have you seen someone find creative solutions to the new challenges we all face?
News Channel 3 wants to celebrate these neighborhood heroes. Tell us about them here. Enter below or email SHARE@kesq.com. If you see good happening on social media, share it with us, and tag it #neighborhoodheroes for us to see.
We are all in this together. Help us showcase the good that's happening right here in the Coachella Valley.
