Shouts of support at football games do not only come from the bleachers. Down on the field, 17 energizing athletes, the varsity cheerleaders, help raise the excitement level of the crowd, the football team, and even — surprisingly — the Dazzlers as they perform at both home and away games.
With last year’s graduation of senior Izzy Casher, cheerleading coach Mrs. Cashier retired her pom poms this summer. Taking up the spirit stick and leadership of this year’s squad are two new coaches: Coach Kali and Coach Felicia. Both formerly of Jupiter High School, one a player and the other her coach, the duo hopes to serve up a winning strategy for this year’s squad. Everyone, especially junior Bella Contacessaa, appreciates their eagerness to help the cheerleaders.
“The coaches are helping us take up our level this year with new stunts, tricks, and cheers. It is challenging, but I know it will all work out in the end,” Contacessa said.
Team members have been to camps over the summer, and junior Leanna DePaulis sees a difference.
“There was one camp during summer, a Saturday and Sunday, which was fun; the coaches that came to help us showed us how to stunt and jump properly. Then, we had another camp, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, that the same coaches helped us gain confidence and try more challenging things,” DePaulis stated.
Before their first day of orientation, the cheerleading team’s freshmen came to school and met everyone else. Maddie Amorosino loved the welcoming atmosphere.
“Joining the cheerleading team coming from a school different from Benjamin’s was like getting a warm, welcoming hug,” Amorosino happily stated.
Junior Chloe York sees excellent qualities in this year’s squad.
“We all work very hard in practice and are trying our best. The team is practicing at the Palm Beach Lighting gym, an all-star cheerleading team. This gym helps us expand our capabilities and skills,” York explains.
Sophomore Ty Cohen loves the liveliness the cheerleaders bring to the football games.
“The football games are so fun because we all show our support for the players. The cheerleaders have twice the energy of our student section and half the people. It is really impressive how much noise they make, even at the away games,” Cohen said.
This team is not only cheering for football games; their competitions will start in January. Those on the competitive cheer team will go to a series of competitions called Head to Heads. They would go to another school and do a two-minute and 30-second cheerleading routine.
Junior Lila Cooper is excited for the first season of tournaments with her school team.
“I can’t wait for the tournaments to begin. Being a part of this the first year it’s happening is cool, and I’m eager to see how we do,” Cooper exclaimed.
“I am so excited for this year, and I can not wait to see how far we get into the postseason,” Contacessa exclaimed.
