1-20 vs. Westwood

Cassie listens patiently to fan suggestions
"What do I look like, a phonebook?" Friends ask Jonsie and Gilda if the recognize an unknown number.
I just thought this was a cool shot- it's got framing, pattern and repettition, unity, balance, eye-flow, and emphasis- all the "principles of design" I try to teach in art classes. Since it's of Angie and she's a photo/art/design person herself, hopefully she appreciates it.
"DANG, it's hot in that stupid dog-suit!" Brett actually looks forward to the cold drive home through the snow.

three wierdos

Eighth Graders Megan, Sasha, and Christine prove how psycho they can be.
Maybe we should actually practice sometime this week!

We will blow you away!

Above are a couple of pictures for Ang. She wanted the fun group one on top on the blog so she can right-click it and save it at home. I just added the other one for the heck of it. This kid is cruel. She plays with my mind.

She is an awesome cheerleader- phenomenal amounts of energy, LOUD, a powerful leader- amazing at crowd encouragement... Terrific flier, decent base, very athletic, truckloads of enthusiasm, very positive, enormous amounts of school spirit.

Here's the mind games part- one week she misses basketball so much she could cry, so she won't come back to cheer. The next week cheer rocks, she may want to cheer in college, she wants to go to a cheer camp even if it's on her own and not with the squad...the next week she's so glad that cheer is over, she'd rather be a fan in the stands, plenty of other people are planning on going out for cheer next year.

AAAAUUUUUGGHGHGHGHGHHH!!!!!!

I don't want to put her on a pedestal, nor do I want the rest of the squad to feel unappreciated. The other 4 of our 5 cheerleaders are amazing too. I was REALLY blessed this season, and I suppose we'll not only survive, but beeven manage to be really good without her if we have to. But I don't want to have to! It's like if a cheer squad is a drag racer, all the other cheerleaders are high octane, but she's an injection of nitro.

Be that as it may, we can all use a break. End of season blues. It happens every year. Almost everybody gets sick of cheer. I don't blame them. One bummer about it is that now the whole rest of the school year seems to go by really fast. Of course, kids love that.

Anyway, Angie, if your reading this, and I doubt you are because I know how much you hate to read (that doesn't mean you're not smart, just ADHD) I REALLY hope you'll come back out and cheer or at least mascot next year. You're incredable and we love you. But if you don't, I'll try really hard not to respect your decision and not make you feel guilty. I do want to thank you for coming out this year and I hope that you had fun. You were incredible.

Be good

Nearly the end...

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

~Herm Albright

I got to re-take pictures of Cassie & Kayla (above) but everybody else had AAU Volleyball practice. Ces't la Vie' Hopefully we can get the rest before we leave for the game tomorrow night.
I think I did a lot better. Like the treatment of the team pic above the quote? I thought by desaturating the background it reminds me of the 1970's Saturday Night Live cast photos. Maybe I'll be confident enough to take team pics for X-Country now. Maybe I'll start charging and make a few bucks on this photography thing. Interested in hiring me? Visit http://mal-com.blogspot.com

Anyway, we may be done for the year tomorrow. I'd like to have had tryouts right away and gotten them over with. Of course I wish we could afford to pay for everyone to go to an NCA camp this summer too. We'll see what happens with Dance Night, I'm not picking up that everyone is committed enough. Track, play, AAU VB, jobs, friends etc. It's just the time of year to be done with cheer for a while. It's good to get a break from it.

Wall Lake- Lake View- Auburn

Kristen shows us how to fly!

Yo yo yo- Ang and Kayla are down with their fly selves.

Cheer tickles Cassie

Animal Experimentation

Lola jams with the Manning Pep-Band. Shake your bootie Lola!

"Now that you've got the groove, this time let's REALLY move!" Lola helps the cheerleaders get the fans up on their feet.

Rena poses with her pal. This is the fifth kid to mascot for us this season. I won't name her because she wishes to remain anonymous, but I've wanted her to mascot for a long time, I even BEGGED her to tryout for mascot when her grades, luke-warm teacher reccomendations and tryout judges' scores kept her from making it back on as a straight cheerleader. She passed on mascot because she's also on Drill squad and thought that being sweaty and gross from the costume wouldn't mix well with performing with the Drill Squad. And there's this little thing with her mom blaming me entirely for her not making it back onto cheer, hating me, and therefore prohibiting her from having anything to do with Cheer or mascot.

That's really unfortunate because as you can see she did an AWESOME job, very animated, exaggerated, creative, cute, very funny, good with kids. Of the 15 mascots I've seen over the years, 3 or 4 could probably do it in college. She was definitely one of them and that she knows som much about cheerleading and gymnastics is a huge plus. I know it's not my place to hope for either of these things, but frankly, I hope she doesn't make it back on to Drill next year and I hope her mom's anger subsides so that she can either somehow forgive me, better yet see that I'm not to blame and it was an objective process, not something personal, and that she'll let her kid make her own decisions about involvement in school activities.

Lola

In your FACE!
This only happens with girl mascots- Lola gets her hair done at the ArWeVa game by Sasha

An open letter to Junior High Cheer

An open letter to the Junior High Cheer Squad

Okay ladies,

In the aftermath of the whole Brianna-Tanisha drama I think we need to regroup.

I want to be able to say at least one thing to each of you and I thought that I'd just as well do it this way 1) so I don't forget and 2) because not only do I think it's okay that everyone else know what I say to each of you, it might even be good that they do.

First off, I know this is only JrHi and you may decide that you want to participate in VB, BB, Drill, XC or no sports at all next year, that's your choice, life changes a lot right now- but I'd LOVE to be able to retain each and every one of you- but who knows what parents, schedules (and Varsity Tryouts in the case of 8th graders) will hold. We still should work on being LOUD, being sharp and some other stuff. I have some ideas for how to change practice to do that starting Tuesday. (Don't forget we have another game this Monday)
'Kay, here goes...

Brittany- You have awesome potential, when you're on you're really on, we need to re-teach and review with you and you'd help alot if you can memorize the motion 8-count drill and then work on it on your own all the time.We need to work on your confidence level and your volume. I really hope you stick with cheer and that you like it well enough that you'll work you butt off to stay off the D/F list from now on.

Taryn- You're phenomenal. You're such a natural that it might even make other kids jealous. You're good at this. You're sharp, you can be loud, you have an awesome low pitch. and I bet that you're sturdy and stiff enough to stunt well. I've noticed that you review and practice on your own, you remember chants well enough to be able to teach them, you take initiative by calling chants both at games and you can focus and work durring practice when we need to- all those things are real leadership qualitites. This is why I say, you're good at this. Seriously, if you want to and you apply yourself, you could not only really help our program for the next 5 years, but you're one of the few kids who could probably even get scholarships and cheer in college. We need to challenge you to stay sharp and work hard and not get lazy or complacent. We also need to help you to be a lot louder.

Megan- Girl, you've always been our "Steady-Eddie." Look at pictures of the last 4 seasons and billions of people are in and out because of grades or committment, but you're still there. You're respectful and patient and you'll work when it's time to work instead of screwing around. You know most every chant on our list. That all leads me to believe that Cheer is your thing and you're sticking with it, tryout/parents/grade permitting- if that's so, we need to work on being sharper and getting your energy level up at games. (notice I left you aloan about being louder, but there's that too). I'm serious about you trying mascot whenever you want because everyone else on squad says you're really funny & do a good job- and guess what, you don't have to talk. But we should start working now because all of a sudeden there's competition. Chelsea still wants it, if he ever got his grades up so would Bradley- Brett may want it back and if her parents let her so might Kaylie, not to mention Dan Rose and Mike Wingrove and I have to warn ya, that Kyle Ahart is awesome.

Sasha- You have school spirit oosing out your pores. No one else wears as much purple in as crazy of ways as you do. I wanted you for cheer, I nagged you and finally I got ya. You're fun and funy, you're creative and smart. I like you well enough that if you must leave to play volleyball &/or basketball I'll let you go and try really hard not to nag you more or make you feel too guilty, but if you want to stick with cheer I want to help you get the most out of it and not just take you're talent for granted. Sure you've got leadership up the wazzoo, but we have to work on you not becoming bossy. We also have to make sure you don't just sit and direct 7th graders, but actually work and get the most out of every practice. We need to work on getting you sharper and louder if you're going to make it through Varsity Tryouts. You know everything you need to know, but it doesn't come always come out. We need your fun and your ideas in either Student Council &/or Cheer so we have to keep you positive and we ought to tap into those ideas instead of taking them for granted.

Christine- I am really proud that you're grades/math aptitude are pushing you academically. I'm proud that you're as involved/committed to music as you are even though we really don't have the most exeplary music programs in the world either at the elementary or MS/HS levels. I appreciate your Mom's wanting grades to come first. Be all that as it may, I also admire and appreciate how seriously you took cheer, especially last summer when I sent you a DVD and you taught yourself SO much! I will try to keep you on my email & mailing lists. Don't be afraid of Varsity tryouts, but to be aware that judges do look for high energy, sharpness, and volume- so if/when you have any free time at all, keep working, keep practicing, focus on precision. Know chants well enough to teach them.

Kenzie- I'm so sorry about your back. I've had lots of cheerleaders over the years with scoliosis and other back issues. In lots of ways cheer can aggrivate it, but it lots of ways cheer was easier for those girls than other sports. I would LOVE for you to still be able to come to practice even if you can't work as hard as everyone else & have to take it & even if you're not able or allowed to cheer at games (there's only 2-3 left anyway.) I know you're the type who likes VB, BB, & Track but you did a great job last year and did pretty good this year too (when you rememberd the chants and weren't dealing with back pain).

All of you- Please keep in mind & encourage 6th graders you know who would be good. Please don't be mean or rude to Brianna on purpose, please don't trash talk her or Tanisha/Caitlin/Kelsey. Please let Tanisha/Caitlin/Kelsey feel like they'll be welcomed back as Eighth graders- so long as they can handle being mature enough to be more responsible and focus and not fight or get so into drama. IF (big if) Jessica or someone else wants to practice durring Track season, please stay positive and work at being able to cooperate and get along with others (there will ALWAYS be SOMEONE like Brianna- that's just the way life is.) and Finally- Please keep in mind the Morningside University Mustang Cheer Clinic this summer. It's just one day and just $25- $35 if you want a t-shirt, it's usually in July. It will make you all a ton better and will be a lot of fun.

I guess that's it. Tuesday we have a lot to talk about. I'll see you then if I don't see you for at least part of the game Monday. Thank you each for working so hard, taking Cheer so serious and sticking with it as long as you have.

I'm proud of you,
Coach

Middle School

The 2006 Middle School Basketball Cheer Squad (after WWIII): Chelsea (as Lola) Megan, Taryn, Brittany, and Sasha in front. Above: Sasha's stylin' shoes! (also notice her spirited sox!)

Team Picture

Angie, you're such a problem child!

Celebrating another basket

Junior High Winter Cheer

Back row: Eighth Graders Christine, Kenzie, Sasha and Megan
Front: Kelsey, Taryn (as the Bulldog), and Caitlin.
We've been working on chants and sidelines, when we get back from Chrsitmas vacation we'll start more work on conditioning, building stunts and hopefully floor cheers. We are the future!

Kenzie and Christine LOVE Sasha SO much, they're willing to embarass themselves.

Jr Hi Survivors

Here we are at the Girls' Woodbine Game last night. L-R: Christine, Sasha, Taryn, Kelsey, and Caitlin. Missing (at Doctor's appointments) were Megan and Kenzie. Everybody else is ineligible because they can't get their sorry butts of the D/F list! These girls are a HARD CORE CHEER family.! Christina's boyfriend went out for mascot but didn't quite make it, his older sister cheered on varsity- Taryn's big sister IS our new mascot and Kelsey's cousin Randi cheered for like forever till she graduated last year

Going out with honor

Whew! It's over. Football season is finally over.
Another win, a big one- 48-13 against West Harrison.

As hard as it was, fighting, complaining, missing practices, family crises, illnesses, cussing, not knowing chants, not chanting, being A.W.O.L. from "windows" during games...

I'm actually really proud of this group of girls. Seriously. They performed better in our first game (Away v. Manning Sept.2) than I expected they would.

The Monday after an abysmal performance at home v. CAM, Anita Oct 14, I read them the riot act, and then, Kayla Lawson (Heather's older sister) did to. Let me tell you, that Tuesday they were a different squad. The next game, away against Treynor Oct 21 they were AMAZING.

Tonight they were almost as good (it might hurt their feelings to hear me say "almost") but tonight they ALSO got Andrea up in a half-extension! AND they invited the Junior High squad to perform a chant with them- witch both squads did great on!

With som much buzz and so many candidates, the chemistry will no doubt be different for basketball- and I won't lie, I'm looking forward to it- be that as it may...

No one would have ever thought that Larissa would ever stand in front of the whole school/town and cheer. She's the quietest girl you'll ever meet. People assume she's shy and dark and sulky and sad and likes it that way. But she's one of the bravest, calmest kids I know.

Nikki drives people crazy because she's always talking and moving, but that's exactly what makes her an awesome cheerleader- she's always full of energy and excitement.

Nichole was the most clunky, uncoordinated kid in junior high, but she worked and trained herself and showed enormous determination to improve and she did it.

Andrea told me that coming out for cheerleading was a life-altering decision that she made. I hope she still feels like that's true. No one would have ever thought that she would come out for cheer, they assume that she's brooding and sardonic and critical of perky people. And that's some of what drove her. She wanted to prove her critics wrong. While I still think she's too hard on herself, she made it. By this last game, she knew most of the chants and kept up. And managed to not kill Nikki...and was the flyer in a half-extension.

I appreciate Heather so much. Not just because of her awesome flips and tumbling, but because she was our glue. Our stabilizing element. She's the one who ran after people who stormed off and wanted to quit. She's the one person of the twelve who never went negative, who never felt sorry for herself and never complained. Even when she lost her Grandpa. She's steady and she leads both by directing people and by example. And even though she's a natural born flyer, she didn't hog the glory but became an outstanding base too.

And Rena. Wow. What a difference from last year. I see it, former cheerleaders see it, other teachers and administrators see it. She was harassed and tormented by classmates last year. This year she's EmCeeing pep-rallies and calling most of the chants and making most of the decisions at games. She encouraged junior high girls to take cheerleading seriously yesterday because of how much it can teach you. She still may have more to learn and more ways to grow, but I'm really proud of her.

After Student Council announced the Football, Band, and Cross Country Seniors and their parents, the girls surprised me- Heather came over the P.A. and they thanked me for my work this season. Then the squad presented me with a batch of cupcakes.

Aw shucks!

Now, a week off of Varsity, then Tryouts.

Cujo Jr.

"CJ" (Cujo Junior) performs a kartwheel at last night's junior high football game against Woodbine. The Eighth graders pulled in a 26-0 WIN! Let's hope that Varsity can do so well against Woodbine this Friday night!

Some Junior High Pics too

Top: Larissa, Billie and Andrea joined Junior High-ers Megan and Christine one day at practice 7th hour.

Middle: Sometimes/Sort-of Junior High Cheerleaders Sasha and Jessica seem to think they're glam enough to be on some band's album cover...

Bottom: Happy birthday Jessica! Her family got her a new digital camera.

Some pictures from the Clarinda game last Fri

Top: Nicole kicks it up to celebrate a Dog's touchdown. Middle: Cujo cavorts with "Ernie" the Eagle. and Bottom: Rena shows off her awesome "Hurkie."

Cujo Junior

Awww.

Cujo Jr. was SO shy at the game.
He was too nervous to try half the antics that he worked on in practice.

Cujo Junior

Our first Junior High MASCOT!!!
Here's Cujo Jr. (Brad) with his Varsity sister, Nichole at last Tuesday's Jr Hi football game.

Cujo Jr did a great job. He's short, he can dance, and really boogies with his "C-Walk."
We hope he'll like it well enough to do it for the next 5 or 6 years and then go on to rock the NCAA in college!!!