A 97-year-old woman relived her cheerleading glory days after the current squad visited her care home.
Ilagene Doehring, a resident of Candlestone Assisted Living in Midland, Michigan, was a cheerleader for Merrill High School during her youth. But she wasn’t just any cheerleader—Doehring played a pivotal role in introducing the sport to her school.
Not only did she start the cheer squad, but she designed and sewed the uniforms, which still have the same color scheme today.
So, after reminiscing with staff at the care home, they decided to set the wheels in motion for a special surprise – reuniting Ilagene with her current-day contemporaries.
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Merrill’s current cheer coach, Jena Glazier, along with her team, stepped up to honor Ilagene’s legacy.
They visited her assisted living center, bringing with them a special gift: a custom cheerleading uniform.
The cheerleaders performed some of their routines for Ilagene and even gave her the chance to join in.
To everyone’s delight, Ilagene didn’t just watch—she participated, taking her place as a flyer in one of their stunts.
“She said, ‘Lift up,’ and we’re like, ‘Really?’ And she went, ‘Yeah,’” coach Glazier recounted to WNEM. “She got right up there and stood right up, and it was awesome.”
The event was as meaningful for the cheer team as it was for Ilagene.
“When I left, she said, ‘Without me, you wouldn’t have Merrill cheer,’” Glazier said.
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“And I just thought on that, and I’m just so grateful for her because I know what it probably took to get that started. She’s allowed me to come in after her – a foundation that she built – and I get to mentor girls all the time because of that.”
The assisted living center’s residents cheered alongside Ilagene during the heartwarming reunion.
Although she admitted she was “embarrassed by all the attention,” Ilagene couldn’t hide her joy.
“I guess I’m famous now,” she said with a smile.
Ilagene hopes her story will inspire the next generation of cheerleaders to continue her legacy.