PORTAGE | With red and silver pompons shimmering in the gymnasium lights, some 40 youngsters danced, cheered and jumped.

They weren't only learning basic cheerleading moves, said instructor Stephanie Watson, but also building confidence in themselves.

The girls, in the 7- to 9-year-old age group during a recent Monday night were some of the nearly 100 youngsters -- ages 4 years and up -- who have been attending the weekly Young Champions cheerleading sessions at Woodland Park here since February.

"It is really fun and all my friends are here. We get to do tricks, be in parades and just have fun," said 10-year-old Yesenia Soto of Portage who comes every week with her sister, Yanitza, 13.

"We learn a lot of new techniques and learn flexibility," said Yanitza.

Watson, a senior at Niles (Michigan) High School, travels to Portage each Monday night to lead the three sessions of classes. The captain of her own high school's varsity cheerleading team, Watson said she grew up in the program.

"It has given me more self confidence and helped me become not afraid to stand up and speak up," Watson said, adding that -- besides the cheer skills and tricks -- is what she most wants to impart onto her young charges.

"The class teachers leadership, teamwork and self confidence as well as the basic cheerleading skills and just having fun," Watson said.

Dave Byers, director of sports management at the park department, said the sessions are held for 12 weeks three times a year. They end in regional competition against other area Young Champion teams. After the last sessions, the oldest group, age 10 years and up, won the regionals and went to the national championship competition in St. Louis where they finished third.

Byers said the Young Champions program approached the park department last winter about offering the program. The first session was offered last February and the program is growing. Youngsters can register for the session, the month or class by class.