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Cheerleaders: "Happy, positive and peppy"
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| Front row: Carli Thornton, Alex Cole, Sierra Stark, Back row: Brittaney Van Aernam, Sasha Barber, Minden Jones and Alexis Bancroft (manager) |
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By Jennifer Nichols
NT Staff Writer
ATLANTIC - This is how Atlantic Senior Megan Hamilton describes cheerleaders: "It seems cheerleaders have a positive outlook on anything, no matter the outcome. Most people say when they think of a cheerleader, they think of peppy, loud and always happy and that's what we are: happy, positive and peppy."
In Atlantic, those happy, positive and peppy individuals are divided into two squads: football and winter, according to Cheerleading Coach Heather McKay.
McKay explained in an e-mail there are 11 football cheerleaders, and 16 winter cheerleaders. Eight of the football cheerleaders travel to away games to cheer, and two of the cheerleaders on the squad are from the junior varsity. Cheerleaders in the winter squad cheer at basketball games and wrestling matches. Tryouts are held in March or April, and according to McKay, a panel decides who becomes a cheerleading.
"I have a panel of judges who votes on each cheerleader," McKay said. "Ballots are collected and points are tallied. Points earned determine who earns which spot. If a returning cheerleader earns enough points throughout a year, he/she can secure a spot for the following year."
The squads practice four times a week for two hours a day, except during homecoming week, when there are two practices a day. The cheerleaders practice cheers, stunts, jumps, leading a crowd, and they do conditioning during practices. They also work with middle school students and other younger students at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA to encourage them to participate in cheerleading in the future.
Cheerleaders also attend camps, and learn, according to McKay, basic techniques, proper stunting techniques, motions, jumps, team building, conditioning and dance routines.
McKay said she wanted to coach again this year because of Atlantic's "potential."
" I wanted to coach cheerleading again at Atlantic because there is so much potential," McKay said. "I also want people to realize that it is a sport, and it takes a strong athlete to be able to be a good cheerleader. In fact, at last week's varsity game against Denison, the cheerleaders averaged 100 jumps/kicks per quarter and conducted an average of 25 cheers and chants per quarter. It is in a goal of ours to be able to compete against other squads in the state."
Those who are cheerleaders in Atlantic have a variety of reasons why they go out for the sport.
Hamilton also said, "Cheerleading is a sport but also many other things. Being a cheerleader, you are also a role model to younger girls, you are there to support your teams and keep the spirit good even if the game or activity isn't. People (also) like being around other people who are (happy, positive and peppy). Having someone look up to you means to the world knowing they want to be just like you when they grow up. I continue to do cheerleading because it's fun, I'm with amazing people and it's exercise you wouldn't believe."
Another cheerleader, senior Melanie Abrams, said, "(Cheerleading) is a great opportunity to make new friends and become better known through out the school. It's also a great way to become more flexible and get a great bod!" and another cheerleader, senior Alisha Ponsar, said cheerleading helps "to build self-confidence."
And, last but not least, another cheerleading, senior Vanessa Keenan, said, "Cheerleading is a great way to make new friends, improve self-confidence, and maintain a positive attitude at all times. AHS needs to have school spirit, and it feels great that the cheerleaders play a key role in creating that fun, spirited environment. Cheerleading in general is a ton of fun, and McKay is amazing! I especially love that cheerleading is the one sport that I can combine my love for tumbling, jumping and dancing all in one."
In Atlantic, those happy, positive and peppy individuals are divided into two squads: football and winter, according to Cheerleading Coach Heather McKay.
McKay explained in an e-mail there are 11 football cheerleaders, and 16 winter cheerleaders. Eight of the football cheerleaders travel to away games to cheer, and two of the cheerleaders on the squad are from the junior varsity. Cheerleaders in the winter squad cheer at basketball games and wrestling matches. Tryouts are held in March or April, and according to McKay, a panel decides who becomes a cheerleading.
"I have a panel of judges who votes on each cheerleader," McKay said. "Ballots are collected and points are tallied. Points earned determine who earns which spot. If a returning cheerleader earns enough points throughout a year, he/she can secure a spot for the following year."
The squads practice four times a week for two hours a day, except during homecoming week, when there are two practices a day. The cheerleaders practice cheers, stunts, jumps, leading a crowd, and they do conditioning during practices. They also work with middle school students and other younger students at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA to encourage them to participate in cheerleading in the future.
Cheerleaders also attend camps, and learn, according to McKay, basic techniques, proper stunting techniques, motions, jumps, team building, conditioning and dance routines.
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" I wanted to coach cheerleading again at Atlantic because there is so much potential," McKay said. "I also want people to realize that it is a sport, and it takes a strong athlete to be able to be a good cheerleader. In fact, at last week's varsity game against Denison, the cheerleaders averaged 100 jumps/kicks per quarter and conducted an average of 25 cheers and chants per quarter. It is in a goal of ours to be able to compete against other squads in the state."
Those who are cheerleaders in Atlantic have a variety of reasons why they go out for the sport.
Hamilton also said, "Cheerleading is a sport but also many other things. Being a cheerleader, you are also a role model to younger girls, you are there to support your teams and keep the spirit good even if the game or activity isn't. People (also) like being around other people who are (happy, positive and peppy). Having someone look up to you means to the world knowing they want to be just like you when they grow up. I continue to do cheerleading because it's fun, I'm with amazing people and it's exercise you wouldn't believe."
Another cheerleader, senior Melanie Abrams, said, "(Cheerleading) is a great opportunity to make new friends and become better known through out the school. It's also a great way to become more flexible and get a great bod!" and another cheerleader, senior Alisha Ponsar, said cheerleading helps "to build self-confidence."
And, last but not least, another cheerleading, senior Vanessa Keenan, said, "Cheerleading is a great way to make new friends, improve self-confidence, and maintain a positive attitude at all times. AHS needs to have school spirit, and it feels great that the cheerleaders play a key role in creating that fun, spirited environment. Cheerleading in general is a ton of fun, and McKay is amazing! I especially love that cheerleading is the one sport that I can combine my love for tumbling, jumping and dancing all in one."
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| Volleyball: Trojanns rally past Red Oak in three-game sweep | Griswold boys take individual and team titles at Clarinda Coed Meet |
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