HISTORY OF THE DURHAM SENIOR DIVAS 'N DUDE Senior Citizen Cheerleaders by Louise Gooche |
| The Durham Senior Diva Cheerleading Squad was organized in February of 2004. After seeing a group of senior citizen cheerleaders perform in Wilmington, N. C., in October, 2003, at the North Carolina Senior Games Ambassadors’ Training Program, Louise Gooche, who serves as an Ambassador for the Senior Games thought, “We can do that too." However, upon returning to Durham, she was reluctant to try to initiate her idea because she thought, “No one wants to become a senior citizen cheerleader but yourself!” After talking to several ladies, she decided to post a “sign-up” sheet at the Downtown YMCA in Durham where she works as a volunteer. Nine ladies signed up immediately! The word got around and ladies continued to sign up until there were eleven(11). The next two tasks were to get a location for rehearsals and a coach. Louise discussed the idea of a cheerleading squad with the administrators at the Durham Downtown YMCA, and they thought it was an excellent idea as a part of the Active Older Adult Program. They gave her permission to practice whenever the squad needed to at the “Y”. The majority of the cheerleaders are members of the Downtown YMCA. Shawnta Wright, aerobics instructor at the “Y” and a former cheerleader, said that she would coach the squad (at that time Shawnta was 28 years old). The ages of the Durham Senior Divas 'n Dude range from 55 – 85!! This first coach was more like their grand-baby, but she kept the squad “shaking, wiggling, kicking, and dancing” as best as they could. In March of 2012, the squad was blessed with a new volunteer coach. Coach Althea (Al) Williams is a retired cheerleader coach who volunteered to give of her time and talent to coaching the group. The squad continues to focus on fun, fitness, and fellowship. The squad is very supportive of each other physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Several of the members have chronic debilitating disorders, are cancer survivors, and/or have had multiple surgical procedures (one member has had 8 back surgeries). Gooche, who is the Team Captain, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2002. She had to have half of her colon removed and endured 21 days in the hospital and six months of chemotherapy. The therapy left her so weak that many days she could barely make it through her home, but she did not give up. On her “good days” she would go to the “Y” and work out a little. She continued to pray for the return of her strength and health. At the present time, she remains cancer free and has more energy than she has ever had before! She’s even doing “splits” during Diva performances! The Divas 'n Dude do not allow illnesses and other circumstances to control their lives! They pray for each other and give each other support and continue to go on! The squad rehearses once or twice each week. Time is allocated for special holidays. Rehearsal time varies between 1- 1½ hours per week. In October of 2007, a "Dude," Ed Moore, joined the squad and became the first performing male of the group. The squad members remain energized and ready to perform to the best of their abilities. Currently there are 21 active members: - Althea (Al) Williams, Coach - Bertie Bates* - Lucille Bethea* Frances Cagle - Lillie Cannady - Liz Cofer - Vivian Gentry* - Ann Gore* - Dreda Guion* - Louise Gooche*, Team Captain/Founder - Catherine Joyner* - Shirley Lassiter* - Davesene Lawson* - Phyllis Massenburg - Mildred McKinney* - Edward "Ed" Moore - Shirley Reams Johnnie Reddick - Betty Reed - Tina Scruggs - Burnette Smith - Edna Thompson* - Edna Titus - Jeanette Webb - Mary Walker Shawnta Wright, Former Coach* - * Founding Members The squad is welcomed by the Durham Community, and this keeps them on the go! The Downtown YMCA of Durham, N.C., is the official sponsor for the Durham Senior Divas 'n Dude. |
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| Davesene Lawson, Webmaster davesenelawson@durhamdivas.org |
| Divas at the Carolina Theater Reopening Ceremony |