As the weather cools and the holiday season slowly arrives, winter cheer prepares for the upcoming season.
This is when cheerleaders shift their focus from football games in the fall to cheering on basketball games for both boys’ and girls’ varsity teams. After the fall season ends, cheerleaders do not get much of a break as they quickly jump into the winter season.
Sophomore Gloria Jasmine Alexis mentioned that she came back this year to “experience basketball cheer with the new coaches and the new girls. I wanted to see all the girls grow and achieve things they don’t believe they can do themselves.”
While fall cheerleading happens on the football fields, winter cheerleading occurs inside the Malden High gym, where the energy is slightly different.
The practices can become tough, as the cheerleaders work hard to perfect their routines and stunts. They need strength, flexibility, and endurance to perform their best during games. “Coming out of practice makes me rethink my entire decision on joining the team,” sophomore Zara Garcia explained. “But it’s all worth it when I’m within the team and we are all having fun, learning new dances and chants.”
For the students, athletes, and fans, winter cheerleading is an important part of the school year as it is a time for excitement, energy, and school spirit.
