Thursday, October 20, 2011

All-Star Cheer vs. High School Cheer

     Making Kingston High School's Varsity Cheerleading team is one of my greatest accomplishments. Especially having the privilege of being on in my freshman year. I have met so many amazing people because of this. Every single girl has something special about them that they contribute to our team. I have never done school cheerleading before this season. I must admit it was intimidating to go straight to Varsity. I did not personally know every girl on the team. I have never once felt out of place with these girls and I could not have asked for better teammates.
     So many people underestimate Varsity level cheerleading. It is much more different than competitive All-Star cheerleading. When I was involved in All-Star cheerleading, I never saw myself doing Varsity. But, I love it! Being involved in school and making new friends, This is an experience I will never forget. I would like to carry cheerleading with me all the way to a collegiate level. There is no better feeling than putting on your uniform, topping it off with your bow and going to a game to cheer on the boys! Representing KHS. I am proud to call myself a Kingston High School Varsity Cheerleader.
-Megan Gillespie
Varsity Cheerleader
Freshman

Many people have misconceptions about high school cheerleading and all-star cheerleading. 

High School cheerleading includes cheering on our school's athletic teams, but it is not just limited to that.  Schools now have an option to compete, which brings in a whole new meaning to the sport for that group.  In addition to their already busy schedule, they are now traveling to competitions with a specific routine they will hope will wow the judges.  In a high school cheerleading routine, we are required to stunt, jump, tumble, and cheer.  The routine is only 2 minutes and 30 seconds in length, but when your adrenaline is rushing and your putting all of your energy into making everything perfect, that 2 1/2 minutes seems like a lifetime.  Also in these routines, there is an emphasis on school spirit/pride which needs to be shown during the cheer portion.  One minute of each routine is dedicated to getting the crowd fired up and yelling back with you through the use of stunts, signs, poms, and other props.  The other minute and a half is music. 

All-Star routines (well, all-star gyms) are not affiliated with a school, and therefore do not have the cheer portion.  They really only focus on the gymnastic and stunting segments.  They are still showing their athleticism, but this is not traditional cheerleading as we know it. 

There's something to be said when you are cheering for something--whether it's a team,  your school, or even for yourself.  Some people are more comfortable with the idea of all-star cheerleading, where others not only want the thrill of competition, but also time under stadium lights or in a crowded gym as they cheer their team on to victory. 

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