From watching the WHS cheerleaders perform at varsity football games, spectators would not be able to guess how much time and practice goes into the two-minute routines.

Senior captain Kayla Louison noted that on top of the smaller cheers and stunts they perform on the sidelines of games, the cheerleaders must learn and perfect routines for the school pep rally (choreographed by the captains) and for halftimes at home games. To prepare for these energetic performances, the cheer team practices three times a week for an hour and a half each day.

Additionally, during the summer, they have two seven-hour rehearsals before school begins. During these practices, the half-time routine is created with help from the Rutgers University cheerleaders who give insight on choreography. Mastering routines are crucial as the routines are physically taxing and dangerous. “It takes a lot of coordination with the people on your stunt group and the people on your team just to make sure that no one gets hurt,” Louison noted. She explained that if there is miscommunication or distrust, it could end terribly for everyone involved.

Mastering routines are crucial as the routines are physically taxing and dangerous. “It takes a lot of coordination with the people on your stunt group and the people on your team just to make sure that no one gets hurt,” Louison noted. She explained that if there is miscommunication or distrust, it could end terribly for everyone involved.

However, this rarely happens as the cheer seniors and captains place an emphasis on inclusion and collaboration. Louison explained that the team is a fun environment and feels like a family. As Louison stated, “After our seven-hour practices, we go to the diner to make sure the team bonds and no one feels left out.”

The cheer team also has the responsibility of supporting the football team in other ways. Louison explained, “Other than just cheering, we make sure that [the football players] feel excited to be on the team. We give them candy every home game, decorate little baggies for them and if they want gum or Gatorade, we put that in there, and other caretaking things like that.”

As a result of their hard work and dedication, the cheer team year-after-year has made a mark on the WHS football game experience, hyping up the crowd with their catchy cheers, fun choreography and challenging stunts.