Olivia McFadden
Senior Addi Saccoccio cheers for the Roughnecks against the Paul Pewitt Brahamas. The Roughnecks won 30-26.
When you think of a cheerleader, you may think of someone yelling for the football team on the sidelines, but the truth is, cheerleaders have a role that extends beyond just supporting athletic teams. Cheerleaders are seen as leaders, role models, and should set a positive example for the student body, and they regularly represent our school.
Cheerleaders are expected to set a good example, both in and out of uniform. Because they are seen as leaders, they are held to a higher standard in academics, social media, and everything in between. This means they must make responsible choices all the time, because they are not only representing themselves, but also their school. Whether it’s keeping good grades, showing respect to teachers and classmates, or being mindful of what they post online, cheerleaders are continuously representing something bigger than themselves.
“I love being able to interact with people beyond just the school,” senior Taylor Dark said. We do a lot of community work and I enjoy being able to do that and meet new people.”
Cheerleading is a commitment, much like other school sports, it requires hours of practice. From performing under pressure, to perfecting routines, to even trusting each other enough to perform skills that could lead to serious injury, cheerleaders must be able to rely on one another. This is a great example of how success comes from dedication and teamwork, not just one’s own efforts.
“Cheer is definitely a commitment because we have to prepare for pep rallies, games, and state cheer,¨ senior Addie Fritsche said. ¨We practice two times a week, and it takes teamwork to perfect stunts and even help each other learn dances and cheers. We have to rely on each other during stunts to make sure everybody stays safe, even though it can be stressful at times, it’s very fun.”
Not to mention, most of our cheerleaders are involved in other activities, whether that’s sports, FFA, UIL, band or another activity, our cheerleaders are very active in our school. They have to juggle cheer with their other activities, along with their school work. This involvement is an example of how cheerleaders go above and beyond, showing leadership in not only cheer, but the other activities they are involved in as well.