Jacqueline Sullivan, Connecticut – 2006
Jacqueline is the principal of Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Connecticut.
For thirty years, Jacqueline has been involved with cheerleading in Connecticut, coaching the varsity team at Norwich Free Academy for 20 years. For 15 years, she has served on the Connecticut State Cheerleading Committee, a position she continues to fill following her retirement from teaching and her assumption of administrative duties at Norwich Free Academy. Since 1984, she has served as a judge at local and state competitions.
Her affiliations include serving on the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Committee, Student Activity Board, the Eligibility Committee, the Cheerleading Committee (chairperson, 1988- present); the Connecticut High School Coaches Association; and the National Federation Interscholastic Spirit Association.
Her teams were second runners-up in 1990m 1991, 1993, and 1994. They were the Eastern Connecticut Conference Champions in 1994 and the Wildcat Invitational Champions in 1994. She has worked extensively to promote and improve Cheerleading, serving on several committees: the Eastern Connecticut Conference Cheerleading Committee (co-chair, 1985-1995), cheerleading tournament Director (1990-present), and the Chairperson of the Cheerleading Committee (1998-present).
Jacqueline has served as the CIAC State Cheerleading Competition Administrative Chair, 1998-2005. She has also served as a judge at state tournaments in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Jacqueline was presented the NFHS Section I Spirit Contributor Award in 2005; was recognized by the National Federation Interscholastic Spirit Association as the Connecticut Contributor of the Year in 1998 and 2004.
“I have had the privilege and pleasure to have met and worked with some amazing people through my involvement with cheerleading. When I think of the dozens of coaches (football, basketball, cheerleading) and athletic directors who I’ve watched give countless hours to students who participate in these activities, I am thankful for the opportunity to be counted among them.”