Recently, both the Nazareth Pom and Dance Team and Cheerleading Squad competed this winter season. The students on the teams are very committed, dedicated, and worked hard to improve overall as a team as well as improve their own personal performance. Both Poms and cheerleading squad members agree that practice and competition teaches them many skills and values they use in their everyday lives.
“Being on Poms involves hard work and dedication” says Tiana Bresica “You have to be accepting of everyone on your team and especially patient when it comes to learning new routines.”
The teams have faced challenges such as having only one team instead of two, which was a hard change but was met with success. “I’m sure it was a struggle at first for all the underclassmen to adjust to the concept of varsity,” commented Jackie Chavez “but in the end we all came together and tried our best.”
Despite some challenges, the season has also had a lot of rewards. Senior Bridget Brogan, a member of the cheerleading squad, commented that the cheerleaders “had a very successful season.”
“We did awesome at sectionals and made it to state, which hadn’t happened in five years, which was really exciting for me as a senior!” Brogan commented. Although the team did not continue on at state as well as they had hoped, it was an honor to be featured and recognized at the renowned state competition.
Another great benefit of competition season is the chance for the girls to individually improve their styles and grow closer together as a team.
“I’ve learned a lot since June and met people from all four grades that I had never met in school before,” remarked Karina Rodriguez, a sophomore member of the Poms team. “It definitely wasn’t easy because with every team there’s ups and downs. But in the end, we are always there for each other no matter what.”
Karina plans on continuing dance in the future. “I plan on trying out again next year as well as for senior year because Poms has become a big part of my life. I can’t imagine not doing what I love most, to DANCE!”
That is the case for most underclassmen members of the Pom and Dance Team and Cheerleading Squad, but upperclassmen members also have dancing beyond Nazareth to think about.
“I am currently undecided about where I am attending college, but I plan to dance wherever I go,” stated Senior Paloma Yanez.
While many Nazareth Pom and Dance and Cheerleading Squad members may be undecided about how their experience on one of Nazareth’s team will affect their futures, all agree that the experience while at Nazareth, and this year especially, was a rewarding one.