Parsons Middle School has a new Spirit Squad this year.
The Spirit Squad is not technically a cheer squad. That is what the group is working towards, though.
“It’s not KSHAA approved right now, but the goal is, if the girls do good this year, (administration) will make it KSHSAA approved next year,” Spirit Squad sponsor Elizabeth Smith said. “Right now, all they can do is cheers and chants at the games. They are not allowed to do stunts and tumbles, but the girls are really working hard so they can do the stunting next year.”
Smith said the middle school administration wanted to first see what kind of interest there would be and what the girl’s dedication and commitment would be to practice and showing up to the games. As well, the girls must be committed to keeping their grades up, in accordance with KSHSAA standards and school policies for participation in extracurricular activities.
Response was better than Smith had hoped for.
“We weren’t expecting 20 girls,” she said of the tremendous turnout.
The girls cheered at their first game last week after just five practices. Thursday will be their second. The girls practice twice a week.
“I’m very excited about it. I’ve wanted the middle school to have a cheer team for a very long time,” Smith said. “We got lots of compliments at out first game, about how loud they were. Smith said it is nice to see something for students to get involved in, if basketball is not their thing. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade can participate.
“It’s nice for sixth graders because they can’t play sports, so the girls can get involved in this. It is a way to get them involved in school,” Smith said.
Girls are already being impacted by their involvement in the team.
“I think I have five eighth grade captains and they have stepped up and been leaders. We’ve talked about being a leader in the classroom and in the hallways, that it is about more than going to the games and cheering,” Smith said. “I’ve seen them come out of their shell and be really positive leaders.
“One thing I have noticed is the eighth graders and the sixth graders that won’t normally talk, it seems to give them a little bit of a family aspect. Our sixth graders are definitely comfortable going to the eighth graders for help, Smith said. “I remember when I was in school and we did cheer practice the summer before freshman year, feeling it was okay because the senior cheerleaders knew who you were. I’ve seen the same thing here. The sixth graders are at ease with the eighth graders because of the cheer and the eight graders are great leaders and take care of them.”
Smith said her hopes are that getting girls involved will also set them on a course to being eligible for a cheer scholarship to get their college paid for.
“There are a lot of cheer scholarship opportunities for girls and boys, so my hope is some of them stick with it and it is something that if they do it in high school, they can get a scholarship and go to college for free, just because of cheer,” Smith said.
Support for the Spirit Squad has been amazing so far.
“Kelly Bedore, the high school cheer coach donated old uniforms,” Smith said. “At first, we didn’t think we were going to have uniforms, just t-shirts, but then Kelly donated uniforms and they were super excited they actually have real uniforms. Then we had a parent donate hairbows, so they also got hairbows. A lot of people have stepped up and helped them out.” The Spirit Squad is also going to get the chance to cheer a high school game with the high school cheerleaders as well. “Kelly offered for them to do that Friday Oct. 20,” Smith said. “They will get to cheer with the high schoolers for a quarter.”