By Mathilda Sullivan
Photo by Max Braunig
Behind polished bows and glittering uniforms, a bigger story lies behind sidelines and competition mats. The squad is a team of highly conditioned athletes. They practice a high-stakes sport that includes acrobatics, dance, and precision gymnastics. The crowd only sees the final product, a laborious mix of dance and acrobatics, but the real story lies in the hours of work, dedication, and conditioning required to perform. The bruises, sprains, and turf burns are just evidence of the hard work.
Weeks before the season begins, the team starts intense conditioning to build stamina needed for four quarters of constant motion, sharp choreo, and voice projection. Practices involve perfecting cheers and stunts and strength training to prevent injuries and execute perfectly. Although the training is extensive, the work pays off during the season, performing perfect dances and routines.
Although many cheerleaders love cheering, it can take a toll on student life. Spending hours learning and perfecting routines does not leave a lot of time for school work.
¨I think the most challenging part of being a cheerleader is balancing school work, as well as practices,” said freshman varsity cheerleader Mariyah Francis”We practice up to 5 times a week and typically have a performance once a week, which can make it difficult to balance the workload, although team study halls can be very helpful. I think one of the most difficult aspects is during games. It can be hard to keep energy and motivation up, but remembering that you can always rely on your teammates definitely helps. Once you start cheering and get in the zone, all stress leaves the body.¨
Although demanding, cheerleading unifies the squad and school through spirit. When leading cheers, cheerleaders rally fans and energize the crowds at games and events alike. Not only do they unite the school, but they also gain a strong bond with each other. In fact, they depend on each other for safety and success, and they also participate in bonding activities as a squad.
Cheerleading also helps many to build confidence, empowering athletes to believe in themselves and push their limits. After mastering skills they’ve worked so hard on, a sense of accomplishment helps to reinforce self worth. They also build confidence in other athletes by cheering for people who might not have others to cheer for them. They encourage people to persevere and to never give up.
