For many years, the varsity and junior high cheer and football boosters have been joined together. Since cheer has started a basketball cheer team and has hopes of creating a possible competition team, it has become hard for the two to be able to work together to get what both programs need.
The two programs have ultimately decided that the two groups should separate from being one big organization. This means that the cheer booster program needs to find people to run it, be involved, and to step up and be officers. The cheer booster members must be cheer parents/families, alumni of Freedom Area School District, former coaches, or community members who are associated with the cheerleading program. The school board meeting was on Thursday, Nov. 13.
The cheer team is also starting up their basketball season. The girls have been practicing twice a week to learn cheers, stunts, and a halftime routine. The coaches Grace Lane and Leah Mosconi created the halftime routine, and the girls were taught it. The coaches are preparing the team to be the strongest they can be.
“I think this season will go very well. A goal that I have is learning more basketball cheers. I am looking forward to success in different ways,” Leah Mosconi, coach, stated.
The coaches have also exclaimed that the girls are picking up quickly and everything is coming together great.
“I think the season is going to be great. The girls are picking up on the basketball cheers super quick, and their dance is coming together so good. One goal I want is for the girls to gain more confidence. They are so quick to say ‘I can’t’, rather than ‘I’ll try again’, so I want their confidence to grow before next season. I am looking forward to having them cheer [for] basketball. It’ll be a new experience for me, and I’m excited to see what we will do,” Grace Lane, coach, stated.
The captains for the basketball season are Presley Malsch (8), Temperance Max (8), Alexa Straile (8), and Mila Bair (8). The captains were chosen at the first practice of the basketball season. The captains are excited to help guide the team to success.
“I am excited for this season, especially because this is my first year cheering for the basketball team. A goal of mine is to enjoy this season, as it is my last one. My favorite part of the season has been the stunts, and the feeling of joy after we hit a stunt,” Temperance Max (8) stated.
Another thing the girls are excited to do is simply just be together for another season before moving up, some to varsity/ JV, and others staying at the junior high team.
“I am excited, because I get to spend time with some of my favorite people. I want to get better at stunts and cheers. I love being able to spend time with the girls, and getting to do the dance and stunts,” Presley Malsch (8), stated.
So far, the girls are highly enjoying being together again for another season. The girls are looking forward to the memories they will create, and the joy of cheering. The girls will continue to prepare for their games, and keep working hard!
