Poms will fly, music will pulse, and the energy in the gym will be electric as the Lewis Cass Cheerleaders take center stage at their annual halftime show. The cheerleaders have put in hours of practice and a whole lot of teamwork in order to get the halftime show ready and bring their best for their performance on February 14. A highlight of the season, the halftime show is a trademark event for the team, one that is anticipated by coaches and team members alike from the very beginning of the season. All of the enjoyable stunts and dances seen throughout the season help prepare the girls for the big halftime show towards the end of basketball season, making it the ultimate showcase of their skills.
With the halftime show approaching faster and faster, the cheerleaders have spent countless practices polishing and refining every aspect of their work to ensure an unforgettable performance. The planning process for the halftime show is a little different each year, with the seniors contributing their own “senior solo” and helping the coaches come up with other parts of the routines. Senior, Cassidy Roller, who has participated in many halftime shows with the cheerleaders, reflected on this year’s experience, saying, “I have never really been a part of the planning process for the halftime show. It has been a lot of work figuring out the counts for everything. I feel very involved with the group, and I think this halftime show will be my favorite one yet!” The seniors seem to look forward to being able to contribute their own little flair into the show and helping with all of the factors they usually would not oversee.
More goes into the halftime show than you might expect. It is not all dance, dance, dance, every part routine is carefully curated one piece at a time and put together like a puzzle. Perfecting stunt sequences for two hours is not for the weak, it takes immense strength, persistence, and patience to continue doing stunts over and over, especially when the stunts are not hitting every time. But as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Even in moments of frustration, the team continues persisting and pushing forward. As complicated as the stunts can be to learn, they are usually a highlight of the performance and a “favorite moment” for many of the girls. Cassidy mentioned that her favorite part of the show is “The beginning stunt sequence!” Senior, Kaitlyn Benner is most excited for the beginning stunt sequence as well. Some skills are harder to learn than others. The hardest part of the halftime show is arguably the stunt pyramid, where each group must work together like parts of a machine, Kaitlyn’s favorite skill to master was “the cradle,” for those who are not familiar with cheer terminology, this involves a flyer being launched into the air and safely caught by her teammates when she comes back down. With all of the hard work and dedication from each and every cheerleader, there is no doubt that this year’s halftime show will be a performance to remember.
With countless hours of preparation, teamwork, and determination, the Lewis Cass Cheerleaders are ready to deliver a show-stopping performance to round out the season. From jaw-dropping stunts to synchronized routines, every moment of the halftime show is designed to dazzle you and leave you wondering what will happen next. Whether you are a die-hard cheer fan or just looking for an exciting experience, this is one performance you will not want to miss. Be sure to come catch the girls in action on Friday, February 14 during halftime of the varsity boys’ basketball game to witness the energy, skill, and spirit they bring to the court.
