Give me a… Cheer Clinic

Imagine 85 girls between 4 – 12, all in one room. Saturday at Tri-Valley High School it was a reality. The varsity and junior varsity cheer leading squads host an anual cheer clinic and this year was the best turn out yet.

"The girls have a lot of fun they learn a new dance to teach the little kids. They learn a new cheers and a couple new chants just specifically for the girls" said Varsity Coach Kelly Lawler.

This is a big fundraiser for the team. it is also a chance for them to thank the community. Registration was $25.00. The girls got a t-shirt, snack and a cd to practice the dance.

The young girls have 3 hours to learn the dance from the varsity girls.  It starts with a clap, I am not sure after that it is a lot harder than it looks.

All young cheerleaders at the clinic will perform during halftime of tuesday nights basketball game. They had a chance to rehearse in the gym so they would not be star struck. They will also have the varsity cheerleaders with them.

"Everybody has people has people to look up to and these little kids look up to the varsity cheerleaders especially if they want to be cheerleader when they get older" explains Lawler.

The senior leaders have been cheering since 7th and 8th grade. They feel it has allowed them to make new friends and show school spirit. It gave them more than they expected.

"It has taught us a lot of self-confidence being able to get in front of a crowd is a really nerve wrecking thing for a lot of people and it’s teaching all these little girls to have confidence and be proud of who they are and be proud of their school" said Senior Marlayna.

Cheerleaders practice two to three days a week during football season. Once a week during basketball and they have basketball games twice a week. This clinic gives them a chance to show what they do.

"We are here to support the boys in basketball and football and we love that but the girls work really hard in what they are trying to do too" said Lawler.

Parents were invited to film the varisty girls doing the cheers so the kids could practice at home before their big debut.