SOUTH NEW BERLIN – Rachael Ray is a star of The Food Network, has her own line of cook books, and has just debuted a new syndicated daytime talk show produced by Oprah Winfrey’s production company, but she has not forgotten her upstate New York roots. When Ray was approached about doing a segment on cheerleading, she said she would only do it if her high school cheerleading coach, Karen Lyons, could be on the show.

Lyons has been a teacher for over 30 years. Although she currently teaches in Cooperstown and lives in South New Berlin, Lyons taught business and coached cheerleading in Lake George until 1985. Ray was one of her students. “I didn’t know she would be a star,” Lyons said of Ray. “It doesn’t surprise me in any way, shape or manner, but I didn’t expect it.”