When she was a senior at East Haven High School (EHHS), Tia Speringo wrote an essay in which she stated that one of her future goals was to one day become the head coach of the Yellowjackets’ cheerleading team. Six years later, Speringo has accomplished that goal and is stepping into the role as East Haven’s cheerleading coach for the 2022-’23 school year, joined by fellow program alum Tori DePalma as an assistant coach with the squad.

Speringo, a North Branford resident, started cheering in the East Haven Youth Cheer program when she was in 1st grade and continued through her 8th-grade season. Speringo was also a member of the cheer program at Joseph Melillo Middle School from 7th to 8th grade. On top of that, Speringo competed for the USA Wildcats, an All-Star cheerleading program based out of Naugatuck.

Speringo says that being a competitive cheerleader taught her a lot about drive and determination. That approach has now carried over into her life as a coach.

“It taught me how to have some serious determination and motivation,” Speringo said. “Not only when I’m pushing myself to be the best coach I can be, but when I’m pushing the girls to be the best they can be.”

Speringo was a member of the EHHS cheerleading team from 2012 to 2016, serving as one of the Yellowjackets’ captains in her senior year. By competing for East Haven, Speringo came to understand the community aspect of both the team and the town. Speringo learned that cheerleading is all about communication and that everyone needs to be on the same page in order for a team to succeed.

“East Haven is a very community-based town, which I absolutely love,” said Speringo. “When I was cheering, I always brought the family and community aspect to everything. That’s something I’ve taken in with coaching. This is a team. This isn’t an individual sport. This is a team sport. We have to really come together as a team, or we won’t be able to succeed.”

Speringo met DePalma during her tenure with the Easties. The pair became fast friends while competing alongside each other, and that connection continued to grow after they graduated. Now returning to the East Haven cheer program as coaches, Speringo said that she’s excited to lead the team next to DePalma, who is both a close friend and a competitor she’s always admired.

“I cheered with Coach DePalma on the EHHS cheer team from 2012 to 2014. We instantly became friends. We stayed in touch after she graduated and continued to stay friends,” Speringo said. “Being able to coach alongside not only a very good friend of mine, but also someone I’ve looked up to as a cheerleader, is the best feeling ever. We work very well together, and I can’t wait for people to see what amazing things this dynamic duo is about to accomplish together.”

For the past three years, Speringo has served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Yellowjackets. Prior to that, she had six years of experience coaching at the youth level in East Haven. Speringo has learned how to be a role model as a coach and is always striving to serve as a strong leader for her athletes.

“It’s definitely a lot of work. It takes a strong person to push a team. You have to have a leadership aspect to yourself,” said Speringo. “You’re a role model. The girls look up to you and they come to you. I try to present myself the best possible way I can. I know every day they look up to me.”

As they step into their new roles, Speringo and DePalma are looking to use the experience that they gained in All-Star Cheerleading to the benefit of the Yellowjackets. They want to introduce new conditioning, All-Star choreography, and professional music to the team. Furthermore, the East Haven cheer team is also slated to attend a camp hosted by the National Cheerleaders Association.

Overall, the biggest thing for East Haven’s new coaching tandem is to help the Yellowjackets reach their fullest potential on the mats. As the Easties try to get there, Speringo wants to make sure that the cheer program continues fostering the positive environment that she experienced when she competed for the team.

“It will bring East Haven to a whole new level. Our goal is to really push these girls to be the best that they can be,” Speringo said. “Be ready to be pushed to your limits, but not to where you’re going to regret it. Our goal is to always have fun practices and have a positive environment.”

Speringo had an opportunity to lead the East Haven cheerleading team as both a competitor and a captain. Now as the head coach, she is looking to build up the program and help the Yellowjackets climb to new heights. As the takes on the job alongside DePalma, Speringo feels proud to have achieved her dream of coaching at East Haven and is ready to get to work.

“It means everything to me,” said Speringo. “I got hired in June, and it is still the most surreal feeling to me. I couldn’t be more proud.”