by John Ames (Posted on February 20, 2026 @ 10:51 a.m.)

Whenever you go to a school sporting event, one of the first things you may notice is the cheerleading team. Cheerleaders are the ones who bring the energy and excitement by leading chants, performing motions, and encouraging others to get involved. From the sidelines to the center of the gym or field, cheerleading creates a loud, positive environment that brings school spirit to life.

At AHJS, the cheerleading team plays an important role in building a strong sense of school pride. Whether it is at football games, on the competition floor, at pep rallies, or at school events, the cheerleaders help represent AHJS. They encourage participation by teaching chants, leading cheers, and creating an atmosphere where everyone feels energized. Their dedication and school spirit help make events more exciting and memorable.

The team’s constant encouragement helps athletes stay motivated, even during tough moments in a game. Knowing that classmates are cheering them on can boost players’ confidence and remind them that the school is standing behind them. This connection between cheerleaders, athletes, and fans strengthens school pride and teamwork.

In addition to the athletes, there are also adults who make the season even more successful. Those adults on a cheer team are called team moms. The role of a team mom is to help schedule and organize the tryouts. They have to coordinate with the gym for its use so they can have a successful tryout. They also help at the tryout clinics so kids know where to go. The team moms are there to help and assist the athletes, but they do not actually coach them.

Once tryouts come around, it is important that the athletes are well prepared ahead of time. Mrs. Lauren Saunders (AHJS Team Mom) states, “It’s highly recommended that they should go to the optional tryouts clinic that helps give the idea of what the routine will look like.” Mrs. Saunders also states that having a positive attitude helps a tremendous amount.

Cheer can also help build important life skills to prepare the team for the future. It helps teach perseverance, as well as how to handle good and bad times. Being on the team teaches discipline and helps you understand that not everything will go your way. Mrs. Lauren Saunders states, “It helps you learn accountability, time management, and how to work with others, which I think is an important skill for life.”

Overall, cheerleading plays an important role in building and maintaining school spirit. By energizing the crowd, supporting teams, and representing the school with pride, cheerleaders help create a positive school culture where students feel connected and excited to be part of their community.