The GBHS Cheer team brings joy and spirit to the school at pep rallies and when they cheer for the school’s football team. Even though football season has ended, the cheer team’s season isn’t over yet. The cheer team brings out their competitive side through their competition cheer season. In practice, the team pushes themselves to perfect every move and stunt ensuring their routine is ready for the competition ahead. This season, coaches: Jeanne Ladner, Anna Leigh Michaud, and Jessica Barnes have been working hard to choreograph the routine and push the team to be the best they can be. They encourage and help the team through the challenges they may face.
As the cheer team continues to work hard and learn the routine, it has started to come together nicely. A member of the team, ninth grader Rylie Fisher says, “The routine is coming together perfectly! We are really getting a good idea of what this season is going to look like. It is making us all excited. “These teams consist of members from the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity squad. It gives all the members of the team a chance to connect with people they do not usually see at football and basketball games. It also allows them to build strong bonds with people they may work alongside in the future.
The team works together closely, and even though the members of the squad are at different levels, they work together nicely. Tenth grader Emelyn Bonnin explains, “The team is just filled with talent, and everyone is super important in our routine. Everyone has a place in each part, and we all work together so well!”
Everyone on this team had to go through tryouts to be able to secure their spot on the squad, demonstrating their skills through stunts, tumbling, jumps, and dancing skills – all skills that are essential to the routine.
Cheer routines feature many elements such as jumps, pyramids, elites, tumbling, dance, and many other stunts and mini dances throughout the whole thing. These routines really require a good, strong, and compatible team, as everyone is a vital asset to the routine and the success of the team.
The team not only trains their bodies but also focuses on mental preparation, building the confidence needed to perform under the pressure of competition.
When the team goes to compete, they face many other squads and perform their routine in front of judges and an audience. They work hard to look perfect and hit every move, stunt, and motion during the routine. They also have to maintain energy and enthusiasm throughout their 3-minute routine, which is not easy under the pressure of competition. The team learns how to perform under pressure, and give their best effort, no matter the challenge.
The team is judged on many things such as precision, sharpness of motions, synchronization, energy, and execution of stunts, tumbling, and jumps. They work hard during practices to ensure they score full marks in all of these categories.
With all their hard work and dedication, the GBHS cheer team is ready to show off their routine and skills at their first competition!