As winter sports shift into the middle of the season, MHS cheerleading team reflects on their early accomplishments, continuing to bring energy to the sidelines of Malden High during basketball games. Their energy increases school spirit and helps them set their minds on upcoming goals before the winter season officially ends.
What makes winter cheer differ from fall cheer is not just the fact that it takes place in the gym instead of the stadium. What’s also different is having to do different routines, having new members on the team, and especially having to prepare for cheer competitions, which puts extra pressure or even excitement. To prepare the team for the season, coach Brianna Silva-Couture mentioned doing “conditioning and open communication about the struggles of the winter season.”
The cheer team continued to stride with captains Senior Claudia Hernandez Escobar and Senior Taliyah Lauture, and two new captains, Senior Patricia Mukasa and Junior Reva Upadhayay, for the winter season. “Being captain has been no more different than being on the team. I still see myself just like everyone else, just with some more responsibilities. I am still figuring things out and understanding them along the way.” Upadhayay added, “I feel grateful that I have been given this opportunity to help the team. Cheer is definitely not a one-man thing; we have a strong group of girls, as well as other captains.”
Being captain had its highs and lows. Hernandez Escobar mentioned that as a captain, “you really have to know exactly what you want in every decision you make, regardless of what’s going on around you,” which can be difficult. However, working together with the team, being able to lead everyone together for a game, and teaching everyone routines has been Lauture’s favorite thing as captain, as she just loves “building a bond with everyone who comes onto the team.”
Going into the middle of the season so far, Freshman Ruth Mekonnen mentioned “this season has helped me to learn new skills and perfect old ones. As this [is] my first season on the team, I am a bit nervous about my skill level but hopeful for a chance to improve,” as well as commenting how she felt “proud” to learn a more powerful back handspring as the season continues.
Captain Upadhayay felt that “this new season has gone well, [and] we have made a lot of progress in just a short amount of time,’ which makes her excited for their upcoming competitions. Likewise, Junior Wongel Yohannes feels excited with how this season has gone, and looks forward to spending the rest of the season with her friends. She also added, “my goals for this season are to work on stunting.”
“I’m excited to compete, and I just want peace and tranquility… [the] season can be really brutal, and it can be really hard,” commented Coach Silva-Couture, who also wanted to bring home a GBL trophy when the team competes.
Most team members’ common goals are to work on stunts, routines, team bonding and prepare for competition. As a senior and a captain, Mukasa’s goal is “to make a lot of memories and have fun to the fullest before it ends. She’s looking forward to her “senior night as it’s something I’ve looked forward to since my freshman year.” Mukasa also adds that she feels excited but also a little sad since the season is coming to an end really fast and doesn’t want it to end.
Though there can be difficulties throughout the season such as balancing school and extracurriculars, “I hope by the end of the season, we can be all united and for games and for competition as well,” concluded Captain Lauture.
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