NT Varsity Cheerleader Kate Wright and her fellow cheerleaders recently raised money to send a care package to her father, who is currently serving in Iraq. (Wayne Schmidt) Click on photo for larger image

Rallying the troops
Jay Skurski
Thursday, December 02, 2025

Kate Wright sees her father every Saturday.

But there’s a catch.

Wright’s father, Joel, is a master sergeant serving with the 98th Division of the U.S. Army Reserves in Baghdad, Iraq.

The father and daughter speak over Web cam, separated by half a world

Wright is a North Tonawanda High School senior and a member of the school’s cheerleading squad.

The squad recently pooled money to buy supplies for troops serving in Iraq.

Coach Jackie Previte said her team came together to support Wright.

“It was a big deal for our team,” she said. “We had some adversity early in the season and this made us all get along.”

The squad’s co-captain, Meredith Dietrich, said members of the squad felt it was important to support Wright.

“It was almost shock that someone so close could be there,” she said.

Wright shares a home on Tremont Street with her mother and little brother. She said her father would appreciate both the supplies and the updates on how the girls were doing.

“This is going to be really important to him,” she said. “He knows a lot of the girls and wonders how we’re doing.”

Joel sent his family a list of the supplies needed in Iraq. Weather conditions in Iraq, which often include extreme heat, produce a need for hygienic products.

The girls then purchased items like shampoo, sun tan lotion, soap, deodorant and magazines for the troops.

The team’s adviser, Vicki Pohlman, said the experience was a tremendous team-building exercise for the girls.

“They spent their own time and money on this,” Pohlman said. “It was great to see them all think of others.”

The squad has 23 members.

Cheerleader Amanda Salazar would like more people in the community to find ways to support the troops.

“It’s not expensive, but it means so much,” she said.

Fellow squad member Kelli Follendorf had a message for Wright and the rest of the soldiers serving overseas.

“We all hope you make it home safely soon,” she said.


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