Cheer squad makes big changes in the 2011-2012 season

The varsity cheer squad performs at the first rally on Aug. 19. Photo by Justin Herrmann

It?s out with the old and in with the new for the 2011-2012 cheerleading squad. With their first male team member, a new varsity coach, and a new motto, they have already made some big changes.

One of their most important changes is new varsity cheerleader Adrian Mercado, the first male cheerleader in the history of this school. Due to the traditional biases about cheerleading being a generally female sport, it was a tough decision for Mercado to try out.

?I thought that people would either like me or hate me for being on the team, so I was nervous about trying out,? Mercado said. ?It?s a bit nerve-wracking because I don?t really know how people are going to react to (me being on the team), but I?m pretty sure I made the right choice.?

Mercado?s worries about negative reactions over his decision have proved to be unfounded, as he has been welcomed by the rest of the squad.

?When we first saw that a boy was coming to tryouts, we thought it was pretty cool,? varsity cheerleader Lexi Dibachi said.

Despite his lack of experience cheerleading, as this is his first year, and an injury that prevented him from competing in gymnastics last year, Mercado is fitting in well with the team.

?He?s doing an amazing job,? Dibachi said. ?I love his energy and positivity.?

In addition to adding his skills to the team, Mercado?s presence on the team may inspire other boys to try out.

?This was the first time that a male cheerleader has tried out,? ?Ms. Jennifer Hanks, who helps manage the squad as its cheer adviser, said. ?We hope that (Mercado being part of the team) will increase the interest for future years.?

On top of having a new athlete, new varsity coach Ms. Jennifer Souto is making a difference as well. Replacing previous coach Debra Bradford, who resigned from the post, Souto has proven to be a capable coach.

?She has a different outlook on sidelines,? Dibachi said, ?and I feel like she really values our safety.?

The team?s new motto, ?pawsitive?, will also be changing some aspects of the team, differences that will be apparent on and off the field.

?(The squad) really wants to be school-oriented and to make sure that they are leading the crowd in supporting our sports teams,? Hanks said. ?We want to be seen on campus and known for doing ?pawsitive? things, and we have volunteered to run games at Meet the Wildcats.?

Serious about upholding their new motto, the team also plans on helping out in the community.

(The squad) will be volunteering at Hot Chili, Cool Cars,? Hanks said, ?and we want people to see all the ?pawsitive? things that the cheer squad will be doing.?

The team has already performed twice, but has had problems with injuries and team members not completing stunts.

?Our first performance was on Aug. 13, on the Maroon and Gold Scrimmage night,? Dibachi said. ?The team performed pretty well on their stunts, but I got kicked in the face and had to be taken off the field.?

The team?s second performance, at the first rally on Aug. 19, also did not go smoothly, despite the fact that the team did well while practicing it beforehand.

?I feel we didn?t do as well as we thought we were going to. We had a little music trouble, which threw a few people off, including me, and I?m not sure everyone hit their stunts. (I did not hit my stunt), so a few of the members were disappointed,? Mercado said. ??

Nevertheless, team members have been getting along well with each other through the course of the season.

?I feel everyone gets along pretty well,? Mercado said, ?and I honestly couldn?t ask for a better team.?

by KAVYA PATHAK

Source: http://whitneyupdate.com/?p=1595

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