Inside the fitness center, the HMS cheer team works to perfect their routine. They take time during practice to go over every motion and cheer. Each practice is filled with energy, focus, and smiles.
The cheerleaders are heading into a very busy time of their season with four big competitions in only two weeks. They are working to make the routine perfect, but when competitions are approaching, excitement and nerves start to get to the cheerleaders.
Lilly Dikes (7) is just one example of a cheerleader with nerves about competitions. “When a competition is coming up I feel super excited but I also feel nervous for the performance,” she said.
But to prepare, the team has been practicing constantly after school. They are mainly focusing on timing, sharp motions, facials, and hitting stunts perfectly. With all these important details, the HMS cheerleaders should have no problem doing well at these competitions.
“We have really high energy when we get on the mat. We’re all very happy to be performing and that’s what makes our team stand out from others,” Clara Sackenheim (6) said. The cheerleaders have the ability to score very well as long as they keep their high energy levels and sharp motions.
And when it’s finally time to step onto the mat, the nerves are extremely high. “I feel nervous but I also feel really awkward, because everyone’s looking at us and we’re just spiriting for a few seconds. But after we start the routine I feel more confident in my self,” Anne Wagner (8) said.
Having confidence will help the cheerleaders perform the best they can.
The HMS cheer team’s first competition of the season was NKCCA Winter. The cheerleaders ended up placing 2nd. After this they only had one practice till their next competition. They used this practice to revise and make the routine better. Then, only 3 days later it was time for KAPOS. The cheerleaders got 1st place, which gave them a bid to state.
Finally, after two competitions it was time for the LJS competition. This competition is held in honor of Lilliana Schalck, a HMS cheerleader who passed away in early 2019. This specific competition means a lot to not only the cheerleaders but the whole community. Every year teams come to this event to not just compete but to honor Schalck and the positive impact she had on Highlands. With Schalck in the cheerleaders’ minds, they went out and performed to the best of their abilities. Middle school, Junior Varsity, and Varsity all took home first place trophies. And middle school and varsity even won grand champs.
Even though it takes lots of dedication and hard work, the cheerleaders agree that competing is the most exciting part of the season.
“I feel confident & excited,”Avery Faust (6) said.
Although the cheerleaders have a very packed schedule they are still confident in their routine and will perform the best they can. They cheer each other on through every run through at practice and every competition performance. With four competitions ahead, they are prepared to try their best and make the coaches proud.
Their next competition was KAPOS state on Dec. 20, which took place in Bowling Green. For this, the cheerleaders and their families drove three and a half hours. At this competition the cheer team placed 5th. It was a close battle with only a one point difference between 2nd through 6th place. After this, the cheerleaders drove back home and got a well deserved break for winter. Now, two weeks later, they are back at it with practices and basketball games.
NOTE: Each quarter, students from the the eighth grade yearbook class will write an article for the Hilltopper Online.
