People like to believe that cheerleading consists of nothing but yelling and waving arms around. But, there is a lot more to cheer that people can’t see from the stands. A lot of hard work, dedication and time are put into school cheer and competitive cheer, especially for those who have to balance both.

A few cheerleaders on the Blue Valley Southwest cheer team are involved in both in school cheer and out of school competitive cheer.

Madi Minard, a freshman cheerleader who is also involved in a highly ranked competitive cheer team called Fierce 5 said,  “You get to become a family with people you don’t even know.”

Competitive cheerleaders spend at least ten hours in the gym a week. It’s difficult not to grow close with people who want the same thing as you and are willing to work hard enough to get it. These competitive teams travel all around the country competing and even winning thousands of dollars for their gym. Competitive cheer season also conflicts with school cheer season so it can cause a lot of missed practices or games which can pull the cheerleader behind in either of her teams.

Freshman cheer captain, Summer Cohee says, “ The cheer team is one of the most important parts of a school, they’re the source of school spirit.”

The cheerleaders lead chants and cheer at every game and assembly while also learning a routine to compete with.

“Most people only see the cheers we do instead of all the hard work we put into it outside of the games.”

People join school cheer for many different reasons even knowing how time consuming it can be. JV sophomore cheerleader, Sarah Tawakoli says her reason for joining cheer was how it was an easy source to making new friends and having school spirit.

Although it may be hectic  for school cheerleaders, freshman cheerleader Lilly Hall said, “ Even though sometimes it can be stressful, it really is worth it when you see all the students chanting in the crowds.”