In 2003, Michelle Kaufmann wondered why Madison didn't have a youth cheerleading program. So, with the help of her fellow residents Kathleen McAneaney and Jil Sinon, she created one.

Almost 10 years later, Madison Youth Cheer (MYC) is only getting stronger.

"The youth team is going to nationals in Florida [this] week," Michelle says proudly. "This is only their second year competing and they're doing a bang-up job. All that talent is going to start translating to very highly skilled kids coming into the high school."

Forming MYC "took us about a year because it was from the ground-up," Michelle explains. "We had to get uniforms, meet with the head of the football team in town, train coaches, create cheers, everything-2004 was the first year we actually had cheerleaders."

Michelle, who is originally from Pittsburgh, started cheering when she was in 4th grade and continued all the way through college at the University of Pittsburgh, an NCAA Division I school. In 2003, her daughter Tiffany was a 3rd-grader excelling at gymnastics and dance. Michelle was beginning to notice some genetic talent.

"I actually tried to push her into other sports so that she wouldn't do cheerleading, because I didn't want it to be a case where I, as the mom, was driving her involvement just because I love it," Michelle admits.

But Tiffany had her own destiny to fulfill, and it looked remarkably similar to her mother's.

"She didn't like any other sport except for dance and gymnastics," Michelle says. "As soon as she would start, within a year they would ask her to be on the competition team. So she really fell in love with that type of sport, and I said, 'This is silly that we don't have cheerleading in the town.' Many people said, 'Don't do it; there will never be an interest,' but the first year we had 65 girls and a wait list."

Michelle ran MYC for six years before handing over the reins to Licia Ciotti in 2009.

"She and I are very good friends," Michelle says. "She is now my assistant coach at the high school, and I am her assistant coach for the MYC competition team."

Indeed, after retiring for all of one day from coaching MYC, Michelle says, "The high school called me and asked if I could help out and take over their program just for a season because they needed a coach."

So in winter 2010, Michelle became the head coach for Hand High School's cheer team-and one season turned into three years.

"I would never have taken the position if Licia hadn't talked me into it," Michelle says. "She is a great coach mate and loves cheerleading as much as I do. We are such a good team and I believe that is why the programs are so successful."

Under Michelle's tutelage, the awards started coming in. The high school team came in second at the SCC conference in 2012 and sixth at class L states. Two members of the squad, Taylor Ardito and Michelle's daughter Tiffany, also won All-SCC Cheerleader individual awards, making it the first year that Hand won an individual award recognition to the All-SCC team.

"The group of girls that I have right now have really made a commitment to excellence and to this program. This is the first year that all 20 girls stayed on for both football and basketball seasons. We're creating some traditions and memories, and it makes the girls want to stick with it."

Spare time for Michelle is all about family and community.

"I love being with my kids and their friends and cherishing this part of their life. My husband Ed coached Madison Youth Football for six years to support my son Ryan, so we're very involved in the community."

The athletic conditioning she developed during her years of cheerleading is still with her today.

"I love to rollerblade, work out, and hike with my dog, Coco-she's a beautiful collie mix."

The Kaufmanns adopted Coco a few years ago.

"She had cancer the first year, but we saved her," Michelle said. "She's four now, and has been cancer-free for three years."

The town that she has given so much to gives her much more in return.

"There's so much I love about Madison," she says. "I love the people, the history of the town, going to the beach, walking my dog at Hammonasset State Park and rollerblading there. My whole family hikes with the dog up at Chatfield Hollow."

One of the most remarkable talents Michelle seems to have is her ability to work with other key players and garner support for her endeavors.

"[Madison Director of Athletic Programs] Craig Semple and [Hand Principal] Barbara Britton have provided unconditional support. Barbara Britton actually went to our state competition and watched us. How cool is that-to have your principal show her support? So I credit the school system for supporting us as well."

She adds, "Steve Filippone, head coach of the Hand football team, really embraced us as a sport and as a cheer team and has gone to great lengths to create a really good bond with me by being so receptive and open to anything I wanted to do. He also inspires me to be the coach I hope to be.

"People can give me a lot of credit for starting things," Michelle adds, "because they know I'll push through an obstacle. However, it is the generosity of all the families that make it work. If you ask anything of them, they just do it. I am blessed to have worked with so many people in this community. I was heavily involved with the PTO and schools, CCD, and now the Strong Center, but my true love will always be with cheer."