At Portage High School, there is a variety of sports to choose from, but what’s one thing they have in common? Our PHS cheer team, with their pom poms, bows, and excitement ready to liven up the atmosphere. While the cheer season is halfway through, the team still has much to look forward to.
This year’s cheer season has been lively, and busy, since the beginning of the season. This year, there are 24 girls on the varsity team, which began its season with the PHS football teams. After the football season ends, they start right back up with the basketball teams in November. During the season, they practice once a week and do weights twice a week. During their summer practices, the team works on stunts and tumbling. Overall they make sure to build muscle, practice stunts to ensure they are as clean as possible while also learning new stunts throughout the season in order to bring that exciting energy to every game.
“I think we play a big role,” said Aviana Berrios, 11. “Bringing the energy, having so much spirit, representing our school in a positive light, and most of all cheering on our teams no matter if they win or lose.”
As a cheerleader, Berrios wants to be able to support Portage sports teams, through thick and thin. They make sure to lighten the atmosphere, which we can overlook and even fail to realize the effect it has on us.
“My favorite part about cheering is being able to cheer with an amazing team,” Berrios said. “The team dinners are just a bonus.”
Apart from cheering together, the girls create lasting memories and bonds with each other. They are able to hold a family-like environment within them. Some of them have even cheered for many years since they were infants.
“I am looking forward to all the team bonding and basketball season,” Berrios said.
The PHS cheerleaders truly are their own family. The girls are supportive of each other and supportive of all of our teams. They work together to bring Portage spirits high even when they are low. They take on an important role in Portage High, so next time you go to a Portage game, take a moment to see the PHS cheer team’s hard work in action.
