Inside Norton Shores’ Little Cheers & Poms Program
When the circle forms each Saturday morning at the Norton Shores Branch Library, it starts with a simple question: What’s your favorite ice cream? What movie did you watch last night? For Coach Tiffany Tyler, this “circle of trust” is more than an icebreaker. It’s how dozens of kindergartners through third graders learn to open up, connect with their peers, and discover their voices in the City’s Little Cheers & Poms program.
The program has been a community fixture for decades. “I know people in their thirties who tell me they did Little Cheers & Poms as kids,” Tiffany said. About seven years ago, she took the reins, blending cheer and dance into one energetic, high-spirited class. What started as separate tracks has become a full experience that introduces young students to the fundamentals of cheerleading, all while keeping fun at the center.
“It’s not just about learning motions or routines,” Tiffany explained. “It’s about helping kids feel comfortable in a group, meeting new friends, and building confidence. Some kids come in shy and by the end of the session, they’re the first ones running up for a medal on Parent’s Day.”
From Warm-Ups to Winning Moments
Each 45-minute class follows a rhythm: warm-ups to music, new cheers or a short dance, quick breaks to recharge, and a final game before the team cheer. By the end of the season, kids often know 10 to 13 cheers plus a full routine. Parents don’t get to watch until Parent’s Day, when the shy voices from week one suddenly fill the room with spirited chants and synchronized steps.
Those are Tiffany’s favorite moments. She remembered one student who started timid and quiet. “By second grade, she was beaming with confidence, running up to get her medal. Her mom even sent me a thank-you note and picture. That’s what this is all about.”
Another student began in Little Cheers & Poms and eventually made the Mona Shores varsity cheer team as a freshman. For Tiffany, that shows how the program plants seeds that last. “It’s not just K through 3. For some kids, it sparks a passion that carries them through middle school, high school, and beyond.”
Building Community Pride
Little Cheers & Poms is about much more than routines. Kids from all four Mona Shores elementary schools take part, which means they often meet future classmates before middle school. Many participants go on to volunteer when they reach high school, passing along encouragement to younger students just as they once received.
And while most of the children come from Mona Shores, Tiffany points out that families from other school districts also sign up. “That helps show how great Norton Shores truly is,” she said. “When people from outside the area choose to be part of our programs, it reflects the strength of this community.”
“It’s pride for the parents, pride for the kids, and pride for the City,” Tiffany added. “We’re investing in our youth, and they turn around and invest right back.”
New Energy This Fall
The 2025 fall session introduces several new cheers alongside the Mona Shores favorites. Tiffany is especially excited about the kindergartners who will walk in for the first time. “The older kids really take them under their wing,” she said. “It’s amazing to see them say, ‘Don’t worry, I didn’t know this at first either, but you’ll get it.’ That kind of peer support is special.”
Parents can help by encouraging practice at home, making sure kids bring water and have their hair pulled back, and most importantly, cheering them on as they step outside their comfort zones.
Why It Matters
For some kids, cheer becomes a lifelong passion. For others, it’s just one season of trying something new. Tiffany sees the value either way. “What matters is that they’re meeting new people, learning how to be part of a team, and finding something they enjoy,” she said.
From the circle of trust to the Parent’s Day finale, Norton Shores’ Little Cheers & Poms program is helping children grow not just as cheerleaders but as confident, connected kids.
Because in Norton Shores, building up our youth is simply part of who we are.
