A weekly guest column by the Ledgemont Redskins cheerleaders.
Hi, I’m Jill, a freshman cheerleader at Ledgemont. Being the only freshman on the squad isn’t the easiest thing. You have to work hard, put forth all the effort you have, and be dedicated to show you have what it takes.
That said, becoming a Ledgemont cheerleader was one of my best decisions. I love bonding with all the girls, Kayla, Sierra, Bridget, Jenna and Kaylee, who treat me no different than they treat each other.
My first high school game was August 29, and the experience was different than cheering at a junior high game. There were a lot more people watching, which makes you nervous but also makes you push harder. I made it through with the support of the other girls.
Even my sister — that’s right, my sister, Jenna — helps and encourages me to do a great job. Having your sister on the same squad as you isn’t as bad as most people think. I couldn’t imagine my years on varsity spent with anyone else, and that is why I do not want to lose my school.
I have so many great friends here, and I don’t want to lose any of them. I like having a small school. You know everyone in your whole school, and it makes us a better community!
It hurts when people talk down on Ledgemont. The truth is, we are much better off at Ledgemont than any other school. The teachers take time out of their days to help us. Our schedules are jam-packed with classes.
This year we have seven classes each, plus lunch: all our major subjects, plus three electives. We don’t have extra study halls, either. This means I have to get my homework done before I go to cheerleading practice.
Because we are all in one building, the entire school now has art, music and gym, again led by the high school teachers. It’s really bringing us closer together. We get to interact with the younger kids. They look up to us, and we need to be good role models.
It’s really cool to see the younger students and have them know our names, to wave to the younger kids when we are at lunch and have them wave back. It’s been really hard that some of our friends left us for other schools.
They don’t know what they’re missing. Most of them still want to be at our school, and we wish they could be. It’s not the same just seeing our friends at a game or the Fourth of July or the fair. I hope we can be back together at Ledgemont soon.
This past Friday, we were supposed to have a game against New Day Academy. Unfortunately, they did not have a team, and we weren’t able to find a replacement. We ended our week with a football-cheer cookout before the boys headed off and we went to our coach’s beach house for a sleepover.
Although we didn’t have a game this week, the junior high football team did. Shout out to the junior high for coming up with a 16-6 win over P.V.! That says a lot for your determination in beating such a big school! Though we are small, we are mighty!
Our next game is September 12, at home against Southington. We hope to see you come out and support us! The theme is 80’s Night, so put on your bright colors and big hair and come out and cheer for the Redskins. We’re on Twitter @LHS_CheerGirl.
Redskin pride now and forever.
LHS Cheerfully Yours,
Jill
