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The Stars cheerleading team is raising funds to compete in the National Cheerleading competition in Florida.

Pittsfield CYC Cheerleaders Head to Championships

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield's Catholic Youth Center Stars cheerleaders, after winning second-place at the New England Regional Cheer Competition earlier this month, are heading to the National High School Cheerleading Championships in February.

Teresa Goines, CYC coach, said the team has been training rigorously since last spring. "This is a major accomplishment for the team, their families and the entire Pittsfield community," said Goines.

The championships will be held at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 11 and 12 and will be televised on ESPN at a later date.

"This is their year," said Amy Cummings of the coaching staff. "Attending the Nationals is quite the honor for our team and our city."

Expenses for the team's participation could exceed $20,000. The team is actively seeking donations and will be out in the community in uniform throughout the holiday season raising money for the trip.

"We have a very supportive community, I have no doubt that we will come together for the team," said Rhonda Serre, parent of a Stars member. "But now we need to redouble our efforts. I hope every business and community group in Pittsfield can dig a little deeper to help these kids represent us on the national stage."

For further information on how to support the team, contact Serre at 413-822-8568.

"I know we can make the city proud," said Ally Pratt, a Reid Middle School 8th-grader on the squad. "We just have to get there."

The CYC Stars team is comprised of 27 girls and one boy from the Saints cheerleading program offered through the CYC. Each member auditions for a spot. All Saints cheerleaders in Grades 4 through 8 as well as boys that play basketball in the CYC house league are eligible to try out for the Stars Competitive Cheer team. Tryouts for the 2012-2013 Saints Cheer Team will be held in April 2012.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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