Senator Hassan Recognizes Salem High School Cheerleading Team as April’s Granite Staters of the Month

SALEM – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized the Salem High School cheerleading team as April’s Granite Staters of the Month for coming together, even while social distancing, to help raise the spirits of residents at a local nursing home.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Salem’s cheerleading team was unable to compete at their New England conference meet, a moment that athletes had worked hard for all season. In an effort to cheer up her teammates, as well as bring joy to residents at their local nursing home, Gabrielle Driggers, a sophomore on the team, suggested throwing a parade for the residents, which included Gabrielle’s grandmother. A few days later, between 25 to 30 cheerleaders showed up to participate in the parade, which was carefully planned to ensure that all of the athletes were at least six feet away from one another and the residents. The parade consisted of a line of cars where cheerleaders, one to a car, waved their pom-poms and blasted music to the delight of the residents.

Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.

To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record recognizing the Salem High School cheerleading team as April’s Granite Staters of the Month, click here.

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