It's hard to tell who is having more fun when the West Mont Cheerleaders perform, the squad or the audience. The cheerleaders are all smiles as they raise their red pom-poms to get the crowd fired up. But the crowd is always receptive and eager to give applause.

The West Mont Cheerleaders performed in the opening ceremony on Thursday at the Special Olympics basketball games in Butte.

"The athletes just go wild," said Susan Pesta, West Mont's employment and projects coordinator. "They love the cheerleaders."

Pesta and Program Manager Ginny Heinert organized the team in February of 2007 after seeing another team and the excitement it stirred with the crowd and the team members.

"They were excited because they always wanted to try out in high school, but couldn't," Pesta said. "This makes their dream a reality by coming together to cheer for their peers."

The 14-member squad ranges in age (11 to 59) and ability, but everyone participates with grand spirit.

Cheerleader Amy Rash beams with enthusiasm whether she's practicing or talking about the team.

"I like cheerleading because everyone is working together," Rash said. "It makes me feel good to work together."

Rash's particular favorite cheer is the one she wrote.

H.E.L.E.N.A.

Helena, Helena.

We are number one.

"That's my own invention," Rash said. "If I have some brainstorming I could make a new one."

Cheerleader Barb Ward said she's happy when she's cheering with the squad.

"I work hard when I'm a cheerleader," she said Thursday.

Carroll College cheerleaders Sara Stromberg and Angela McKeever are the squad's coaches. They both said in high school they had time for volunteering but since starting college three years ago time has been tight. This semester that changed and with some free time on their hands, they went looking for ways to get involved in the community.

Stromberg started cheerleading in middle school and said she is happy to help out with a sport she's familiar with.

"It's nice to pass my passion along to others," she said.

McKeever said she didn't know what to expect when she agreed to help out.

"It's a great surprise to see how excited they are," she said.

Volunteering makes McKeever feel better about herself, she said. "It's like they are my family away from home," the Big Sandy native said.

Stromberg said coaching the cheer squad was a good opportunity to get involved with the Helena community and give her a break from the books.

"It's been a lot of fun," Stromberg said. "I look forward to it. It brightens up my day because everybody is always smiling. They are so happy to see you and interested in who I am as a person."

West Mont is a Montana nonprofit established in 1973 offering a wide range of service options for those with disabilities. Currently, West Mont operates 10 residential facilities including the Farm in the Dell and the Melodee House. It also provides vocational assistance and employment services to over 100 individuals with disabilities. The mission is to be a leader in positive change to the disabilities service system.

The group participated this year in the Cheer for a Cure and the opening ceremony for the Miracle Field in Kalispell. Pesta said the group tries to find as many opportunities to perform as they can.

"That's what they cheer for," she said.

Cheerleader Karri Jones enjoys the team's enthusiasm and happily does the hand motions and moves along with the squad in her wheelchair.

Kim Berlee loves to be part of the squad because she gets to move her body in the cheers and the dances. She's got one wish though.

"I wish I could do a pyramid and stand on people," she said with a huge grin.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com