Cardinal with a Cause:
Madeline Theilen
Commitment to Service
Cardinal with a Cause: Madeline Theilen's ('26) Commitment to Service
At John Paul II High School, our students are encouraged to live out the school’s mission to “Seek to Serve.” Madeline Theilen, a senior in the class of 2026, exemplifies this mission through her dedicated volunteer work. In a recent interview with Community Service Coordinator, Dawn Bracket, Madeline shared her experience serving with the Cheer Athletics Plano’s SuperKatz team.
What is your favorite organization to serve with, and what is the organization's mission/purpose?
My favorite organization to serve is Cheer Athletics Plano, specifically the SuperKatz team. Their mission/purpose is to give people of all ages the opportunity to do the same things that people without disabilities get to do, and show them sportsmanship at the same time.
How did you get involved with your favorite service organization? How long have you been volunteering there?
I originally got involved because I was helping with Frisco Flyers Golf and my friends were doing that with me and I really enjoyed it, but it only lasted through the summer, but I wanted to continue to help with teams like that, and growing up at Cheer Athletics, we knew that this was a possibility for me to be able to help with, so my mom reached out to the coach, and was able to get me in as a "Helper," now it is a harder process to become a helper, but it is a lot of fun! This is my third year volunteering for them, and unfortunately, it will also be my last year, since I won't be able to help out when I'm in college.
How has serving at this organization impacted you personally?
This organization has impacted me because I have been able to get to know people who aren't exactly like me, and I have been able to learn valuable life lessons through this organization. We're always taught how to be good people, but this has taught me how to actually work with people with disabilities and that society doesn't have to "walk on eggshells" in fear of hurting their feelings, people tend to treat people with disabilities differently than they would treat someone else, and I have learned that they want and can be treated the same way, and they aren't as different as everyone thinks they are.
What is your favorite part about serving at this organization?
My favorite part of serving this organization is seeing the pure joy these athletes have when they win a competition or do well at practice.
How can other people get involved and/or help support this organization?
For this school year, the team won't be accepting any more helpers, but for the future if people are interested in helping with SuperKatz, they have to be ready for it to be a weekly commitment just like any other sports team, but they can reach out to me and I can give the head coach's email to them to be able to reach out about having an interview with her to become a Helper for following season.
Madeline Theilen's dedication to service is an inspiration to the entire John Paul II High School community. We are proud of her commitment to making a difference and her shining example of what it means to be a Cardinal with a cause.