Page 119 - 2007.Millard.North

pages by Christen Nino

(A. Varsity Cheerleaders do
toe touches in the gym. The
girl s enjoyed performing
jumps and tumbling during
games because it excited
the crowd. photo by Kristen
Block B.Seniors Meghan
Gardner and Erin Abramson
cheer at a varsity football
game. Both girl s participated
in varsity cheerleading their
junior and senior year. photo
by Kristen Block]

New decisions helped boost the overall pride and spirit of the varsity squad. During tryouts it was an-
nounced that the girls would have the option of deciding if they wanted to cheer for fall and/or winter
sports which would make time for outside cheerleading teams was a major benefit for many of the girls.
"I loved the option of being able to choose cheering for fall or winter sports because it gave everyone
an opportunity to commit to the school spirit squad and the ability to commit to an outside activity, such
as competitive cheerleading. Without this option, girls would've had to make sacrifices and restrict their
involvement in doing multiple activities," junior Alyssa Hale said.
The change also worked well for junior Lizzie Mattern who "enjoyed watching football games from the
crowded stands and [pumping up] the already crazy [basketball fans] while cheering."
Even with this change, the squad stilt attended cheerleading camp in the summer. They also met every
Tuesday for an hour to practice routines and prepare for varsity games.
All girls agreed that the real fun of being on the squad was the excitement of cheering at the varsity
games. For seniors, the friendships they made and the great games they witnessed all contributed to their
memorable experience on varsity cheer.
"I will not only miss cheering in front of the crowd at football games but also all of the girls on the
squad. We got along really well, and when we were together we were just crazy, which made us cheer even
louder," senior Meghan Gardner said.
In the end, the dedication and time the girls put into every practice enabled them to pump up the fans and
create school spirit during the most exhilarating, successful and even the most challenging of games.
"Varsity cheerleading has been really fun, it was a good way to get involved in the school and meet tons
of great girls," junior Ami Suthar said.

Alison Bell, 11

K ylee Nelson, 11