Cheerleading. It can be a thankless and tireless job-but also rewarding. The cheerleaders are midway through another long season, and some DCHS squad members reflect back to when it all began. Kalab Trapp, senior, remembers the beginning of her journey. She became interested in cheerleading in seventh grade. Kalab was drawn to cheerleading because “[it] teaches you about encouraging others and pushing each other to the best of your ability.”
Sophomores Alex Baldwin and Amanda McCormick are also members of this year’s squad. “We represent the school and show school spirit. We do complicated and unique stunts to present our gratification to our school,” said Amanda. Alex expressed the expectations of what a cheerleader is. “As cheerleaders our duties are to attend all boys’ basketball and football games and to encourage the other athletes to do their best. We also fire up the crowd and show Delphi pride as much as we can.”
The Delphi cheerleaders would love to have others join them in showing school spirit. To try out for this hardworking sport, potential members have to come to a three day cheer camp. It gives them knowledge and understanding of what it means to become a cheerleader. They are required to perform a group cheer to show their strength in a group, and an individual cheer to show personal creativity, and finally two jumps to finish the try out. The judges’ opinions determine whether a spot on the squad is earned.
Once someone is chosen as a cheerleader, then the hard work begins. Kalab explained what a typical week is. “As a squad, [we] usually practice twice a week for two hours.
Amanda also expressed, “On game day the squad stays after school preparing for a game.”
“During games, the excitement and energy overflows. It is an ecstatic experience,” said Alex.
“Cheerleading is a life lesson that will be remembered throughout you entire life. It makes me who I am today,” Kalab concluded.
Members of this year’s junior varsity squad include Payton Flora, Jordan Dowell, Miranda Clingenpeel, Kady McVay, and Vidalia Cox.
The varsity members are Kalab Trapp, Nicole Smart, Alex Baldwin, Amanda McCormick, and Emily Burwell.