The crowd hears the chants, sees the pretty smiles, and feels the cheerleaders’ energy. But behind the performances, cheer is something deeper than most people realize. While many think it’s just about performances and spirit, the truth is, cheer becomes something much deeper for the athletes involved. 

 “I’m looking forward to building new connections with the girls and really connecting on more than just a teammate level..like a friendship level so I can really like have a good experience with not just a sport but like a family,” Tegan Morice (’29) said. 

 Cheer is not just about winning or performing, but about forming meaningful relationships. Instead of staying at a surface level connection as teammates, athletes are looking for deeper bonds that create trust and support. This sense of family is what makes cheerleading different from many sports, because it not only focuses on just the performance but more on the emotional connection. The sense of family is something many cheerleaders grow into over time and since cheerleading is an all around sport it gives them time to make those strong bonds. Tegan shared that stepping into a more supportive role this year was something she was proud of. 

 “I was really proud of like stepping up as a returner and helping girls because I feel like last year I tried to stay to myself and practice my cheers and like just help myself and like my close friends but like I tried to branch out this year and help other girls which like were eighth graders or they didn’t know anyone,” Morice said

 Her growth highlights that being in cheer gives you confidence and pulls you out of your comfort zone. By helping newer or younger members, she contributes to a welcoming environment where everyone feels included. This reflects how the team culture is built not just by coaches, but by the athletes themselves. But even with that strong bond, cheer comes with challenge, especially during tryouts. Performing in front of judges and learning routines in just a few days can be stressful. When asked what was the most stressful part of cheer tryouts an athlete said, 

 “Waiting. Waiting was the most stressful part. Because you’re literally just waiting there while they’re like writing things down,” Kailie Welmers (’29) said. 

 Remembering everything so quickly can be challenging and having to perform it in front of judges is scary. This shows the pressure that cheerleaders face behind the scenes. What looks effortless and put together takes quick learning, strong memory, and confidence under stress.  It reveals the reality of cheer is both mentally and physically demanding, even if it looks simple. But what makes this stress tolerable is the love that all the cheerleaders have for one another. This positive environment is something other athletes notice right away. 

 “I’m looking forward to like the friend group and like being around everybody. Because they’re so nice and they’re really uplifting towards people,” Amelia Rapelyea (’29) said. 

 This highlights how the team culture creates a welcoming and encouraging space for newcomers. Instead of competition within the team, athletes describe an atmosphere of support and positivity. This kind of environment makes a big difference in how comfortable and confident someone feels when joining a new group. 

 For many athletes, cheer becomes a space for growth and confidence within yourself. So cheer isn’t just about teamwork, but is also about individual development. Athletes are able to build self-confidence while being supported by those around them, which makes the experience more enjoyable and personal. 

 At the core, cheer is more than routines or games, it’s about the memories and lessons that stay with athletes long after the season ends. It’s more than a sport, it’s the memories and lessons you learn. This final idea ties everything together by showing the impact of cheer. The experiences, relationships, and personal growth this support stays with athletes beyond high school.

“You can be a cheerleader without being a cheerleader, so go cheer someone on whenever you can,” Morice said.