By Zariyah Ciriaco
Staff Writer
When most people think of high school varsity cheerleading, they picture pom-poms, megaphones, and cheering from the sidelines on Friday nights under the stadium lights. The stereotype of cheerleading as merely a supportive sideline activity has been long retired. In recent decades, cheer has transformed into a hyper-athletic discipline recognized globally for its physical demands. A competitive routine lasts roughly two and a half minutes, but it is executed at a maximum heart rate.
Varsity Captain Jade Davey was asked what was the toughest challenge the team faced this season and how she navigated it, she responded with “ One of our biggest challenges this season was staying positive and trusting each other when things didn’t go exactly as planned, especially when we struggled with stunts at competitions. I think it was important to remind everyone that one performance doesn’t define our team. We focused on learning from our mistakes, trusting the work we put in at practice, and continuing to support each other.” Kendall Orimolade, another varsity captain, was asked the same question, her response was, “One of our biggest challenges was pushing through difficult moments while staying positive. We overcame this by supporting each other, communicating, and continuing to work toward our goals as a team”. With this mindset and leadership the cheer team was able to end their competition season as Regional Finalists!
The cheer team seems to have a strong positive competitive drive however, that competitive drive and resilience didn’t happen overnight- it was forged through countless hours of tumbling drills, and late-night practices. For the seniors leading the squad, reaching the regional finals serves as a testament to years of dedication and commitment.
Beyond the pressure of competition mats, the squad’s energy remains a staple of school spirit, carrying that same synchronized determination from Friday night stadium lights straight to the mat.
The captains were asked what their proudest memory from leading the team this season, Jade says “ my proudest memory is seeing how much we’ve grown together as a team and getting to see all of our hard work finally pay off. Hitting at both counties and regionals was such a rewarding feeling because we knew how much time, effort, and dedication we put into getting there. Being able to experience those moments together and see everyone come together when it mattered most is something I’ll always be proud of”. Kendall says, “I’m most proud of how much we’ve grown together, both as cheerleaders and as people. Seeing everyone’s hard work pay off and the friendships we’ve built has made this season so special.”
As the season comes to a close, the roaring cheers may fade into the off-season but the milestone of becoming Maryland West Regionals 1A Finalists cements this team’s place in school history.
