A Whole New Level

All my life, the only sport that I've known was cheerleading. When I was a little girl I would always go to all the football and basketball games just so I can watch the cheerleaders. I always looked up to every single one of those varsity cheerleaders and had so much respect for them. Now, I get to be a part of that. I can still remember getting the Email from Coach Lainie saying that I made the KHS varsity cheer team. This being my first season on the team, I'm more excited than I've ever been. No one knows this, but I honestly cried when I read the Email, that's how excited I was. I couldn't wait to go to my first practice! When I entered the MJM gym to practice with my new team, everything already felt different. But it was a really good different.

 

  For 2 and a half years, I was so used to being on the JV team. The main difference that I noticed on varsity, was the friendships. Sure, the warm ups, workouts and just the style of everything was different, but the friendship is what struck me the most. All the girls act like they want to be a family and they all work so well together. I was so nervous because I was afraid of not 'fitting in' with all the other girls on the team. But about a week in, I felt like I was at home with this team. Not many people have someone they can go to when they need someone to talk to, but I have 15 people I can go to, and Coach Lainie. In a lot of sports, some of the players don't even know some people on their team. That's what makes cheerleading all the more special. We all work as a team, with everything. From learning new routines, to playing a team game where all you have to say is "HA", we are a team.

 

Moving up to be on varsity cheerleading is the best thing that's ever happened to me. A lot of people say "I can't live without my phone" or "I can't live without my laptop", but honestly, I can't live without my cheer team and everyone on it. Yes, I liked being on JV. But, I LOVE being on varsity.

 

Demi Politis

Junior

Varsity Cheerleader

The Road to Victory

It was unlike any time before, although I’ve done this at least 4
times. The crowd roaring with such excitement waiting for their
children or friends to enter the gymnasium and perform on the well
known blue mats. The backroom filled with many girls in uniform messing
around with their best friends, usually running over the last 8 counts
which they have already done at least 3 times. The judges anxiously
waiting to see the competition and what each team has brought to the
table this year. This was a cheerleading competition, it wasn't just
any competition though, this was states.

        I can never predict what the outcome will be after I step off the mat
with my team, all I can do is trust. Trust that my team will pull
through as one, and hit every elite stunt, every back tuck, every toe
touch, pike, hurdler, and every dance move with precision and accuracy.
Doing all of this with the biggest smile on my face and the loudest
voice. Cheerleading isn't like any other sport, usually you have
another chance, or another quarter to be the winning team. One shot, we
only have one chance to prove to the judges that we deserve to win with
our short but so long 2 minutes and 30 second routine. Working all year
to perfect this routine, for only one shot to win. With the judges
only standing around 2 feet away from the front of the mat, there is no
room for mistakes. Every motion hit has to be tight, strong, and
attacked with confidence.

        “Kingston High School Varsity, your on deck!” Finally, I'm almost
there. Behind the large curtain that will reveal me to the crowd, the
judges, and the place I will perform my routine. In the time before I
sit in a huddle and review the routine in my head with my team, were
all nervous. Just finished warming up tumbling, stunts, jumps and
formation changes, though I’m ready. “And now, we have Kingston
Varsity!” Running out on the mat with my team and get into my first
formation “T-I-G-E-R-S lets go tigers!” Awaiting the sound of my music,
looking down at my sneakers, I'm so excited and anxious that I can feel
my heart beating out of my chest. The music starts and every nervous
feeling goes away and my adrenaline kicks in. I throw up every stunt as
if I'm wonder women, I have all the strength in the world. Spirit,
enthusiasm, energy, determination, smiles the seeds to cheerleading. At
this very moment I feel powerful, I can see the wow factor me and my
team are putting on the judges. I can see the 1st place trophy getting
closer and closer. After landing the last stunt sequence I end the
routine with my last motion and a proud “Kingston!” We run off the mat
and chat among ourselves about what went on throughout the last 2
minutes. All is good. I now wait, wait for the rest of the teams to
perform, and too wait for the judges to combine scores and see who the
winners really are. “3rd place goes to Minisink High School!” “2nd
place goes to Cornwall High School” “and 1st place, goes to...Kingston
High School!” We all stand up as fast as we can and jump around,
hugging, and cheering at the top of our lungs, we did it together.

        Cheerleading is my escape, it is the one thing I can do that makes me
forget about having a bad day, and puts me in a happier mood. I get to
see all my best friends and to do the one thing I love. The connection
that I have with my teammates is like no other. My teammates are there
for me when i breakdown, and when im standing so tall. I have never had
a bond like this with any other person, and it is the best feeling in
the world, and I never want to loose it. Cheeleading is my life.

Hatherley Tucker
Sophomore
Varsity Cheerleader

BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE KHS CHEERLEADERS AS WE KICK OFF OUR COMPETITION SEASON 1/21 IN PINE BUSH!!! *\0/*

National Accolade!

Check out this article and video from the Daily Freeman!  More to follow...

KHS CHEER *\0/*

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/sports/

KHS Cheerleaders PLACE 3RD IN THE NATION!!!!!!!

The Kingston High School Varsity Cheerleaders have placed THIRD in the American School Spirit Awards and FIRST in the northeast!  This award recognizes the top cheerleading programs from around the country.  When choosing a winner, the Universal Cheerleaders' Association (UCA) looks for teams that exemplify community service, outstanding athletic support, spirit raising activities, and high academic standards.

For teams to enter the American School Spirit Award, squads had to submit a book to UCA. In their book, they included a letter of recommendation from their principal, athletic director or community leader, show one or two community service projects/charity work events involving the squad, describe two of their most successful spirit raising activities, list their most notable academic awards/honors, and include a couple of interesting facts about their team.

Last year, the KHS program earned 5th place, so inching closer and closer to number 1 is always an accomplishment.  I'm extremely proud of the commitment this year's team has made to spirit leading and community service projects, as well as the life long lessons they are learning through it all. 

The winners include Coach Lainie Silverberg, Captains Zia-Ne Williams and Mackenzie Goodrich, seniors Kimberly Boice, Jessica Reposa, Ricki Maggiore, Tiffany Coughlin, juniors Brianna Egan, Melanie Hoffay, Aimee Bauer, Demi Politis, sophomores Hatherley Tucker, Megan Hoffay, Molly Gaffney, Tatiana Rodriguez, and freshmen Alex Boudreau and Megan Gillespie. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

The Courage to Tumble

When I first started cheerleading I never thought I would be able to tumble.  Now that I know how to tumble, I don't think I could ever stop.  For me it feels like nothing is happening.  Almost like the entire world is frozen.  Nothing else matters to me.  I put all my focus and hard work into flipping myself over.  I love the feeling of the wind rushing through my hair as I put all my power into landing that perfect tumbling pass. 

As fun as it is for me, it can lead to serious injury.  One time, I was performing a back tuck (back flip with no hands involved) and I landed flat on my back.  I was so scared, nervous, and never thought I'd be able to tuck again. 

But...you just have to push yourself and get over your fear.  I needed to not worry about landing on my back and just go for it.  Once I finally got over my anxiety, it felt like nothing had changed.  I felt it was the regular old tumbling as I have always known it.  That's how I learned to be consistent with my tumbling and to never give up if something bad happens. 

Cheerfully,
Megan Hoffay
Varsity Cheerleader

*******************************************************************************

In recent years, tumbling has become a major part of competitive cheerleading.  The crowd gets excited to watch athletes defy gravity in a way that only few can truly understand.  Cheerleaders are awarded points based on execution of their tumbling and the difficulty.  There is also a difference between standing tumbling and running tumbling.  It's important that these skills are learned at an early age to allow for proper muscle development and strengthening.  There are tumblers who have learned at a later age and are still largly successful.  As Megan says, it's imperative that you give your all when trying to tumble and be in the right mind set.  Above all, you have to believe it is possible. 

My Team Is a Family

Upon receiving my topic for the blog entry I would have to write, I was dumbfounded.  "Describe how our cheerleading team is like a family", my coach said.  'My cheer team is like a family', I thought to myself.  'But how do I put it into words?'.  The connection that I have with my teammates is comparable to that of two sisters.  My teammates have seen me at my worst: miserable and crying, exhausted and pilly, and agitated and on edge.  They have been next to me during some of my proudest moments: after performing our Home Pom routine for the first time at cheer camp, when we hit our pyramid at the Bon Rally, and even just yesterday, when Mackenzie, Megan, and I did a one-man.

 

It is easy to see who is who in this big 'family' we have.  Coach is the loving but strict mother.  Always there for a concise bit of advice, an encouraging word, or a good laugh.  She scolds us if we forget to do our "chores" (study and practice the dances and cheers we've learned) by assigning some push-ups or a couple laps around the gym.  She nurtures us as a mother does.  She cares for us as a mother does; she is genuinely interested in what is going on in our lives.  She loves all of us just as much as we love her.  We, all sixteen of us, are the sixteen teenage daughters that give her her gray hairs.

 

 Mackenzie and Zia-Ne are clearly the big sisters.  They are the two who are in charge whenever Coach isn't there.  They constructively criticize us as Coach would and praise us when they see us going the extra mile.  They are always fair and everything they say or do is in the best interest of their teammates. Their sisters.  

 

I love my teammates.  When I joined the Kingston Varsity Cheerleading team as a freshman, I was pleasantly surprised to see how close the team really was.  I had come from a team where everyone wanted their own glory and would happily take an opportunity from a teammate to get it.  I wasn't used to teammates praising one other; "that was a good jump, Ha!" You never heard words of encouragement like that on my old team.  On Kingston Cheerleading, us girls truly love each other.  Sure, we bicker and sometimes we don't like each other, but haven't you ever had an altercation with your sister? And after you've made up, don't you leave the situation with a better understanding of each other and therefore an improved relationship?  My siblings are both grown up and no longer live at home, so these girls have really become part of my family.  I love them to death and I promise to keep in contact with all of them as we set out on our own paths throughout life.  Cheerleading has taught me many things: how to jump, how to hit your motions, how to back a lib; things I expected it to teach me.  But I never foresaw that it would teach me how to truly care for someone.  I'm glad it did.

Cheerfully yours,

MollyRose Gaffney

It's Not Always About Winning

Cheer camp, summer 2011 was a great memory. Waking up at 6:00 in the morning to the feel of crisp air blowing on me, knowing I have to hurry and get ready. Walking into the lunch hall to the smell of cinnamon buns and the sound of eggs frying made me so hungry. After running onto what looks like miles of field to the sound of girls screaming and instructers cheering. Every inch of my body has this tingly feeling as if I was getting shocked with excitement. Now all we can do is lay everything on the line and give it our all. As we go through the days cheering the entire time, only getting a drink every hour or so, our
bodies are exhausted. The fact that we are all thriving for this first place trophy makes us forget about our sticky dry throats, our aching bones, the sweat dripping from everyone, and the constant heartbeat you can feel in your head.

Getting ready to perform is the best feeling in the world.

Just looking around at all the girls that you have worked so hard with, you can sense that they believe in you. The birds flying around, the small ants crawling on your legs, the buzz you can feel in your ear every once in a while means nothing when you are standing in your routine formation. Waiting for that first burst of music to start your performance. When it starts everything goes black. There is no more hoping you get it right, it's getting it right and that's it. Nailing every motion and every stunt gives you a sensation as if you just won a Grammy. Seeing everyone's faces while waiting for the announcement of who won makes you sick to your stomach. All we need to hear is that first letter k- and then it's over. But no, instead I hear a strange letter. A 'G'?  This can't be. Then I hear "congratulations Glastonbury on winning first place!" I can feel my heart slide down my throat into my stomach. As I am blinking away the salty tears in my eyes I congratulate the other team. Although we are not screaming with joy, we all know we are still great. Just being with each other is enough. This is what cheerleading means to me. It's not always about whether you win or lose, but the bonds and friendships you make and to grow with the people that you share your blood, sweat, and tears with.

CHEERFULLY YOURS,

Tatiana Rodriguez
Varsity Cheerleader