Garden City Kickline Concludes a Successful Year
By Leah Davies '09

Amy Duff, Courtney Aberman and Jackie Bishop perform a leg extension during halftime at Hofstra.

The 2006-07 kickline season started back in August when just over 30 girls gathered on the high school football field to begin preparing for the upcoming season. While we were there we either learned (if you were a freshman), or refreshed (if you were a sophomore, junior, or senior), our technique and steps. Things that might look easy to the average person such as high kicks, leg extensions, jump splits and moving formations take an enormous amount of work that needs to be perfected with each practice.

After the summer practices the team chose our four captains: Liz Adamo, Jackie Bishop, Maureen Bonacci and Erica Passaretti. Under their guidance, as well as the rest of the seniors and coaches Kathy Ralph and Sam Samuel, our season became a huge success. We performed during halftime at the football games at GCHS and Hofstra, basketball games at GCHS and also at various competitions on Long Island. The team used songs including Cascada's "Miracle" and, from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, Fatboy Slim's "Because We Can".

The Juniors and Seniors. front row L-R: Megan Eaton, Chelsea Singer, Mara McCarthy, Lizzie Ryan. Middle row L-R: Maureen Bonacci, Liz Adamo, Jackie Bishop, Erica Passaretti. Back row L-R: Courtney Aberman, Lauren Panariello, Jill Sapanski, Kelly Walsh. Missing from photo: Jessie Durand

When Pep Rally rolled around at the high school in late October, we added another type of performance to the team. It was a pom routine that was requested by the seniors. Girls were chosen to be on the official pom team for competition season shortly after a sample of the routine at Pep Rally. There were a lot of extra hours and hard work that contributed to making a great routine. Although the pom team didn't place at the competitions, we still did a great job considering it was our first year.

Kickline competition season began on December 17th 2006 at Half Hollow Hills High School. After placing second in that competition and then third place in the following two competitions, we were invited to compete in LIKA's (Long Island Kickline Association) Championship competition at Nassau Community College on March 11th. Teams are judged by many things and must abide by strict LIKA rules including: "Kickline routines must include a minimum of 50 waist high or higher kicks for a two-minute routine. Additional kicks are expected for longer routines." We came in second place at championships, and we are all very proud of our performance.

The Freshmen. Front Row, Tara McLaughlin, Laura Beckstead. Middle Row L-R: Brianne Shannon, Lisa Goepfert, Sheila Sullivan, Breanna Lynch, Jen Passaretti, Audrey Kelly, Kelly Townsend. Back: Amy Duff

After many long hours, practices, injuries, team dinners, performances and surprises, I think I speak for all of the team when I say that it all paid off and that we had an unforgettable season. Thanks to everyone who played a part in our success this year. We will miss all of the seniors and hope they have an awesome time at college!

2006-2007 Kickline Members: Courtney Aberman, Liz Adamo (Capt.), Laura Beckstead, Jackie Bishop (Capt.), Kelly Bonacci, Maureen Bonacci (Capt.), Claire Colahan, Leah Davies, Amy Duff, Jessie Durand, Megan Eaton, Lisa Goepfert, Jackie Greiner, Emily Iadanza, Audrey Kelly, Alexa Kiffel, Breanna Lynch, Lindsay Marrinan, Sarah Masterson, Ryann McAndrews, Mara McCarthy, Tara McLaughlin, Megan O'Donnell, Lauren Panariello, Erica Passaretti (Capt.), Jen Passaretti, Christine Poisson, Lizzie Ryan, Jill Sapanski, Chelsea Singer, Amy Shannon, Brianne Shannon, Katie Shine, Sheila Sullivan, Kelly Townsend, Kelly Walsh

The kickline ends a routine in a split.

Tryouts begin the week of April 16th for anyone in 8th -11th grade who wants to tryout. Photos by Newsphoto.com

The girls begin Captain Maureen Bonacci's routine during a home basketball game. The Garden City kickline. After their performance, Megan O'Donnell and Leah Davies stayed to cheer on the Trojans at Hofstra. Lizzie Ryan and Megan Eaton strike a pose. The team executes a ripple during halftime at a basketball game. Megan O'Donnell, Courtney Aberman, Christine Poisson, Amy Duff and Jackie Bishop perform during halftime of a Trojans football game. Liz Adamo, Claire Colahan and Katie Shine perform. Captains: Erica Passaretti, Maureen Bonacci, Liz Adamo and Jackie Bishop L-R Chelsea Singer, Jackie Greiner, Brianne Shannon, Sheila Sullivan and Liz Adamo perform during a basketball game. A football halftime performance. The Sophomores. Front row L-R: Katie Shine, Alexa Kiffel, Leah Davies, Sarah Masterson, Amy Shannon, Claire Colahan. Back row L-R: Ryann McAndrews, Megan O'Donnell, Christine Poisson, Lindsay Marrinan, Emily Iadanza, Jackie Greiner, Kelly Bonacci Performing at Hofstra. Performing during halftime at a GCHS football game. Chelsea Singer, Ryann McAndrews and Erica Passaretti perform.