Cheer Strong

Cheer Strong

by Sophia Tagliarino

Reporter, Flyer Flash

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“Flyers are nuuuumber one!” Dixie cheer spread their love and spirit for the school by doing what they do best: cheerleading! In television we see stereotypical girls, but who are these cheerleaders really?

Rick Jensen relayed that cheerleaders are, “just like any other kind of entertainers.”

Skye Jenkins, one of the many new additions to Dixie’s squad, informs that a cheerleader, “is an attractive male about 5’8” inches tall, weighing at 170 pounds.” Coincidentally, Skye’s measurements match up exactly.

“I eat, sleep and breathe cheer. Plus I snowboard,” cooperates Sydni Hall, a senior cheerleader that always provides a shining example of the fun and spontaneity you can find in cheer.

Whitney Stephens is very supportive of Dixie’s cheerleaders, “They’re very impressive, and after every performance of theirs I always stand up and cheer for them; they really get me excited and pumped up!”

Coach Miller informs that they practice every other day in a special class. They usually don’t perform outside of school. Once in awhile they’ll attend a competition or two. “We were thinking of competing, but we’ve been so busy with state football, going up every weekend for four weeks.”

These ladies and gentlemen are in there practicing every other day for cheers and routines almost too numerous to count! Coach Brandi Sawyers says that the cheerleaders practice for five cheers with the band, four major routines, 30-40 sideline cheers, and six crowd chants. How on Earth can they fit all of those cheers into one season?

They do it with diligence and reservation. During a football or basketball game, even a pep rally, cheer co-captains silently resign themselves to wait for the opportune moment to lead their girls into the next cheer.

They can only cheer within certain time frames, like when the opposing team has the ball, or when their own team shoots a basket or scores a touchdown. They’re not only cheering for the event, they’re watching it closely.

Cheerleading taxes all aspects; mentally, physically and emotionally. They have to think and coordinate what moves to make when, have to be on alert for their cheer captain’s signaling that either commences a new cheer or ends it just as swiftly.

Every step and wave of the pom pom is calculated accurately; these girls really strive for precision and perfection. The Dixie High cheerleaders make it an art that truly cannot be rivaled. The coaches and their cheerleaders are full of fun and organized spirit.

The coaches guide but like to let the captain and co-captain take leadership into their own hands. Jessica Miller is the co-captain of the squad, who agrees that they do their fair share of work as literal leaders. “We do everything; we have lots of responsibility, we’re mostly in charge for practice, we have to decide what cheers to do when. We basically run it all.”

Not only does Dixie cheer keep us all entertained, they’re constantly helping the sports teams around the school. “We make signs about games or wins, make treats for the teams and plan pep rallies!” indulges Courteney Smith.

Unknown to most, Dixie cheer also gives back to the community. Biannually they hold a cheer clinic, in which younger girls around the area are invited to participate and learn routines that get the whole city involved. “Cheer clinic is an opportunity to connect with the community and teach kids what it means to be a Dixie cheerleader,” says Samantha Goodwin.

Cheerleading coaches, Brandi Sawyers and Tammy Miller, have been busy preparing and practicing with their girls to make sure each routine and dance is perfect. “We’re very grateful for our coaches; they have a huge influence on how we end up after High School, they’ve changed our lives forever, and they’ll be one of our strongest memories,” says Samantha Goodwin, one perfect example of a dedicated Dixie cheerleader.

Sierra Larson loves her cheer coaches, “They’ve helped us a lot, and while they’re sometimes strict for our own good, they make cheerleading a lot of fun and always help us better our lives!”

Having good coaches is only one deciding factor in becoming a cheerleader. Josie Morrell, a sophomore with two years of cheerleading under her belt, confides that “I like cheerleading ‘cause it’s really fun.” Sydni Hall joined cheerleading, “to literally make friends and memories.”

Aubrey Hodge, cheerleader herself, feels that there are more benefits than setbacks to being a cheerleader, “We get to the excite the crowd and support your school. Other than that, it’s time consuming. But we don’t get any special privileges for being cheerleaders; we’re normal people.”

Sierra Larson confides that cheerleading require a 2.7 grade average, with no F’s or NG’s. “Our coaches make sure our grades are being kept up, so our grades never get bad. But we do miss a lot of school because of games.”

A senior and captain as well, Lysi Chamberlain clearly dictates her reasons for loving cheer, “Well first of all I now have a family outside of my home -- I love my team and my coaches -- they help me get through my bad days. I know that since we cheer at events we are a big part of the school. Cheerleading has taught me how to be a hard worker and it has made me very responsible and it taught me leadership, which will help in the future.”

So what do these cheerleaders have to say for themselves? “I love you Maddy Garrett,” proclaims Goodwin, while Skylei Jennings and Jessica Miller proudly shout, “We love winning and we love gold.”

During practice, one cheerleader announces proudly that, “my girls are the best girls in the world!” I’m sure the whole school can agree that no one brings pep and excitement to the school like the Dixie cheerleaders do.