The St. Thomas Aquinas JV cheerleading team brings energy, dedication, and Raider spirit to every school game and event this season. They are present with undeniable excitement at all the STA events, including every pep rally and JV football game, showing the team’s strong bond . Together, they fill every room with school spirit and energy; however, their ability to do this doesn’t come very easily. It is something they build as a team together through their hard practices and teamwork.

It is more than just smiles and pom-poms that make the JV cheerleading team who they are. Their practices usually start with stretches and warmups. “We have to stretch a lot because of all the stunts and jumps we practice, ” Julia Indartrt, one of the cheerleaders, explained: The team then does stunts, chants, and routines. They spend their whole practice working on the timing for their moves to make sure they are in sync at all times.

The girls spoke about how much their teamwork really matters. Cheerleading is not just about being strong or flexible, but about having good communication with each other and showing support at all times. “If one person is off or out of place, it throws the whole routine off,” Gabriella Alzein explained. “So we really have to talk with each other about our mistakes.”

They revealed that cheerleading has taught them to be more patient and to listen more clearly to directions, especially when trying to perfect their stunts and chants. They are very proud of all the progress they have made and will continue to improve day by day, practice by practice.