by Jason Lin
On January 27, EVHS Cheer made history in their second year as an EVHS sport.
At JAMZ Nationals they achieved the coveted 0 deductions meaning no one the EVHS team made any mistakes within their performance. This outstanding display of teamwork and hard work certainly made an impression on the team.
(Full Performance of EVHS Cheer at 2023 Nationals, Credit: Christina)
“This is our second year of having a competitive cheer team, and our first year going to nationals, so we were really proud that we were able to make it so far after only being around for a short time.” said Katie, a varsity cheerleader, “We were also super proud that we did so well at nationals, since we got 0 deductions on day one and ended up placing in our division against some really talented teams.”
The process behind their success was quite complicated as well. EVHS Cheer, like any other sport, is organized into a junior and
varsity division. However unlike other sports, EVHS Cheers competes as one combined team of both junior and varsity members. Furthermore, each cheerleader specializes within a role that they perform in the choreographed performance. Overall, it all comes together in a wonderful show for all.
“It really depends on what talents you have because in cheer, divisions are based on what you can do. One of the most popular being the tumbling division. Tumbling is when you can flip and do all and cartwheels and stuff.. like a gymnast.” said Christina, a junior varsity member, “There are other divisions where you are non-tumbling and more choreography focused, which is EV’s division. While we do have some tumblers, it's not enough to qualify for the tumbling division, but we do have and we do hope to change that in the future so we can advance.”
(Credit: Katie)
At nationals, EVHS overall placed 5th out of the 7th. Interviewing the cheer team overall showed that it was a positive experience for them all.
“I think this competition just proved to ourselves that we are worthy enough to compete against other amazing schools even though this team is relatively new, and that we are capable of achieving great things as well. Overall, the competition was a really fun bonding experience for all of us, and I think the fact that we are so tightly knit and willing to do anything for each other helped us do so well in vegas. Cheerleading is a team sport, and it requires all of us working together to make the routine work, and I think we did just that.” said Katie.
To them it especially showed the level of commitment and commardy present within their team.
“People do carry each other care for each other outside of their field of study or passion, you improve as people together! It’s really great in developing your person, your character, and cheer has a lot of that.” said Christina, “We raise each other up and genuinely stand for one another. Clearly, the spirit is really there. It has helped the team bond, as a group, and as a unit which is critical as a cheer team.”
Among the cheer team, Christina noted she especially wanted to thank their coaches, Coach Denisa and Coach Keke, for being key in directing t
heir path towards success. Furthermore, she had some particular cheerleaders of note as well:
“The only boy on the team, he's a senior, really helps out on the stunts because of his strength. Kevin’s all many of the sports here at EV. Football and track!” said Christina, “Other star players, of course, are the twins Katie and Allison, they're really dedicated and always show up to every practice. They help out in the stunts effectively because they have been cheering for a while now.”
Moving forward, EVHS cheer hopes to use the experience they gained from nationals to reach even greater heights. Currently they are practicing for Battle of the Classes as well as preparing for a match against Andrew Hill to take home the gold. Yet looking back and how far they’ve already come, there is certainly much which they cherish and hold in regard.
“To people who are interested in joining the competitive cheer team, male or female, I would tell them to go for it because it is one of the most fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding experiences you can get in high school. the people on the team are some of the most supportive and uplifting individuals I have ever met, and the
memories that we build together are simply unforgettable.” said Katie
““I would tell future people who aspire in this sport to remove that stereotype in the movies because it's not entirely true. You cannot apply that to everybody. You develop your character with this sport, it isn’t just dancing and laughing because seriously anyone can do that even my little brother. Cheerleading is not all about tumbling, you can be as good as a cheerleader in other ways such as dancing or enthusiasm.” said Christina
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