Cheerleaders have been trying to boost school spirit with their charming smiles and their positive energy since the school opened. With their loud chants and high flying stunts the cheering squad supports the Firebird athletic squads.

The goal of the squad is too make the school sporting events more vibrant. “We help everyone get pumped up with our crowd,” junior Taylor Case said. “We try to

make everyone cheer.” For three years senior Becca Sheldon-Sherman has been a cheerleader. In her

senior campaign she was voted captain for the varsity cheerleading squad. Being captain adds responsibility to an activity she enjoys. “I like to stunt and I like the friends you make by being a cheerleader,” Sheldon-Sherman said.

When stunting the cheerleaders take their assigned positions. Sheldon-Sherman is assigned to be a right base but left base, back base and the flyer are also positions required to attempt a stunt.

The cheerleaders practice every Monday and Thursday. Their training includes running and practicing cheers. The squad has about 25 cheers which they apply at events. “We go over cheers, work on new stunts

and do conditioning,” junior Taylor Case said. “Recently we have been practicing for Raise the Roof.”

Three days of tryouts await any one that attempts to be a cheerleader. “In tryouts we have to do a cheer, a chant and learn the fight song,” Sheldon-Sherman said.

The cheerleader’s dedication and effort does not always gain support from the crowd. “I don’t feel the student body (appreciates us) but the teams appreciate us,” Sheldon-Sherman said.

A lack of appreciation does not stop the cheerleaders from doing their jobs. Chanting and screaming the cheerleaders hope to provoke enthusiasm and inject school spirit into every Free State student.