Their hands were slightly shaking from the nerves as everyone hurried to their spots with the signs, flags, pompoms, and, most importantly, smiles. As soon as the music started, though, the nerves fell away and they felt confident from the weeks of preparation and practices. 

     The competition cheer squad has been prepping for months for upcoming competitions. Earlier this week, the team had an online submission to a national competition with hopes of getting a bit and moving forward. They will find out if they were successful in receiving a bid in the next week or so.

     “I was so proud of our routine when we finished the video,” freshman Haylee Gonzales said. “I really felt it when the music started, and it felt like that was the best run-though we have had.” 

     The cheerleaders have been working on the competition routine since the summer, and have poured a lot of time and energy into perfecting the performance. 

     “We have put a lot of effort into the routine, and at first I was very nervous because the past week the performance hadn’t been good,” junior Kaylen Sanchez said, “but after I put on that uniform and stepped on to the mat, I felt really good about it.” 

     The squad will also compete in the UIL State competition in January; while their hours of work have been a lot to juggle, it has helped them to bond together into one big cheer family. 

     “Practice has just been one great experience that I will never forget, from all the funny times to the times that was very stressful,” freshman Carmyn Hawley said. “I love getting to hang out with the cheerleaders and doing something I love.”