By Anyssa Alonso

Cheerleaders express their joy for the win of the football game.
Photo By: Lindsey Downs

“…the night gets dark and the lights come up, the thrill of the crowd and cheering is the best,” says first year cheerleader Senior Sarah Gouker.  The cheerleading squad is one of the many prides at PHS and is never short of school spirit.  Sporting school colors and bright smiles, PHS cheerleaders know how to get the crowd pumped for another Plymouth victory.
Cheerleaders may not have to perform to win, but their positive attitudes and encouraging cheers remind football and boys basketball players that they stand proudly behind their home team.  Cheering gets the crowd excited and more personally involved with the team.  A lot of work goes into creating and performing the routines seen during the game.  “Our practices are physically challenging,” says former PHS cheerleader and head Coach Krysta Magee.  “Some weeks we may  have three to four games or events we have to attend and practice on top of that.”  Practices are usually twice a week and include: warm-ups and running, practice of chants and cheers, building and stunts, and practice and creation of dances.
“I feel that when we build, we are working as hard as a lot of other sports,” says Junior cheerleader Kendall Cooper  “It’s a lot of work because you have to have tight motions and it’s work lifting up.  I really think [everyone doesn’t] know how much we do,” says Sophomore cheerleader Allie Berger.  Cheering requires strength and flexibility- abilities that are achieved over time with much practice.  Some people do not view cheerleading as a real sport,  but all the work that goes into practices says otherwise.   “I feel that cheerleaders work just as hard as other sports,” states Coach Magee.  Despite the negative feelings of some, PHS cheerleaders continue to keep their heads held high as well as the spirits of the crowd.
“[My favorite thing about Cheerleading is] building.  I really love flying and being in the air.  And the student section.  It’s so fun,” says Berger.  Some other reasons to join cheerleading from PHS’s own: “It’s fun..Seniors typically get to design [the] team shirt and our underclassmen usually do something special for them during homecoming week,” says Coach Magee.  “I love to have spirit and smile all the time so I figured cheerleading was for me.  I hope I encourage everyone.” adds Gouker.  “I always thought [cheerleading] looked fun. [And] BUILDING!” says Cooper.
Cheerleading is a lot of fun but just like other sports requires effort in school as well as practice.  “You have to make [the] grades in order to cheer.  Long-term you are going to succeed in life if  you take school seriously,” states Coach Magee.  Girls on the squad are required to be well rounded  in academics along with practices.
Performing for an excited crowd and having fun are both great reasons to become a cheerleader next year.  And if not, then join in with the crowd and cheer along.  The crowd’s cheers of encouragement really make a difference to the football and boy basketball players.  The home crowd really gets into some of the cheers and routines the cheerleaders do.  Some favorites include: Stomp, Fight, Plymouth, and We are the Rockies.  So the next time when in the stands at a game or along side the PHS cheerleaders, don’t forget: “We are the Rockies, from PHS.  We have no fear, this is our year.  Rockies are the best!”