Everyone knows what cheerleaders do, but a Horizon cheerleader representing the
Pewaukee School District has an important role: demonstrating and encouraging Pirate Pride.
Some people think cheerleaders are there to cheer on the football players, but the most important job is to pump up the crowd. Before going out on the track, we stretch, run through our halftime show, stunt, and much more. We don’t just show up and do cheers; we have to put a lot of effort into practicing and perfecting our performance.
When a cheerleader and her family pull into a football game parking lot, she can smell the concessions and feel the excitement. The bleachers are packed with an excited and loud crowd. The cheerleaders go to warm up and practice their cheers with their team. When cheerleaders walk out on the track, it feels like a roller coaster of emotions, like you're the one playing in the game! When someone calls the first cheer, you get a boost of confidence and get pumped up! Once it all settles in, all of the anxiety builds up, and it feels like a lot of pressure on a cheerleader because she doesn’t want to mess up.
Even though we don’t all understand the ins and outs of football, we still have to perform like football is the only thing we know. Once we turn around with our poms behind our backs, we lightly hear someone call quietly, “Are we gonna win? Ready! Okay?” The cheers begin, and the crowd erupts with applause, cheers, and excitement.
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