Cheering Proud
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
I went to the WCHS vs. Marion boys basketball game tonight. I also attended several football games this year.
I was a cheerleader for 6 years. I have a daughter who cheered on the back-to-back regional cheerleading championship squads from Edgewood Middle School in 2000 and 2001. She also cheered at WCHS for two years. So, I have been around cheerleading for quite a few years. I do not currently have a student participating in athletics at WCHS, so I have no prejudice either way. And after watching the squad tonight I am baffled by the negative comments that were made by the couple who have been watching since 1992.
I have watched for years while the cheerleaders do everything possible to get the adult crowd more involved in cheering the teams on. They use simple cheers, with prompt cards that anyone can figure out. And still the adults are deafeningly mute! I used to cheer along with the girls, as did my husband when my daughter cheered. We were usually the only ones and often received "looks" from others around us. I cheered along with the girls tonight on a couple of their cheers, and again, was the only one.
I saw nothing inappropriate tonight. I did see a squad with great tumblers, steady flyers, and strong, stable bases and spots. The tricks are innovative and intricate and require a great deal of timing and strength. Never mind the large repertoire of cheers and chants. I'm sure most people have no idea the amount of time and dedication that is required by the cheerleaders to achieve the skill level they have. Cheerleading is ranked in the top three sports with the danger of serious injury. So not only must the girls work hard to develop their skills, they must do so with safety as a key component, while still trying to wow the crowd.
Cheerleading, lke everything else in life, is changing and evolving. We all know that most people don't deal well with change. In my humble opinion, if people don't find the cheerleaders entertaining maybe they should find another venue to attend or just watch the game and ignore the girls, something most of the adult crowd does anyhow! The last thing they should do is offer mean-spirited and uneducated criticism.
I for one say great job, girls, and kudos to your coach!
Kathy Clary
Winona Lake[[In-content Ad]]
I went to the WCHS vs. Marion boys basketball game tonight. I also attended several football games this year.
I was a cheerleader for 6 years. I have a daughter who cheered on the back-to-back regional cheerleading championship squads from Edgewood Middle School in 2000 and 2001. She also cheered at WCHS for two years. So, I have been around cheerleading for quite a few years. I do not currently have a student participating in athletics at WCHS, so I have no prejudice either way. And after watching the squad tonight I am baffled by the negative comments that were made by the couple who have been watching since 1992.
I have watched for years while the cheerleaders do everything possible to get the adult crowd more involved in cheering the teams on. They use simple cheers, with prompt cards that anyone can figure out. And still the adults are deafeningly mute! I used to cheer along with the girls, as did my husband when my daughter cheered. We were usually the only ones and often received "looks" from others around us. I cheered along with the girls tonight on a couple of their cheers, and again, was the only one.
I saw nothing inappropriate tonight. I did see a squad with great tumblers, steady flyers, and strong, stable bases and spots. The tricks are innovative and intricate and require a great deal of timing and strength. Never mind the large repertoire of cheers and chants. I'm sure most people have no idea the amount of time and dedication that is required by the cheerleaders to achieve the skill level they have. Cheerleading is ranked in the top three sports with the danger of serious injury. So not only must the girls work hard to develop their skills, they must do so with safety as a key component, while still trying to wow the crowd.
Cheerleading, lke everything else in life, is changing and evolving. We all know that most people don't deal well with change. In my humble opinion, if people don't find the cheerleaders entertaining maybe they should find another venue to attend or just watch the game and ignore the girls, something most of the adult crowd does anyhow! The last thing they should do is offer mean-spirited and uneducated criticism.
I for one say great job, girls, and kudos to your coach!
Kathy Clary
Winona Lake[[In-content Ad]]
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