As an annual event, the varsity cheer squad holds the Cheer Clinic to expand the elementary cheer program, Oct. 7-10. Kindergarten through sixth grade girls who are interested in joining are invited to attend the clinic on the North Field each day after school from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Cheer Clinic will prepare the girls to cheer during the first half of the varsity football game against Maricopa High School, beginning at 7 p.m., Oct. 11. By signing up for the clinic, the participants also receive a t-shirt, which they will wear to the football game.

Second-year varsity cheer coach, Courtney Raymundo is excited to direct the cheerleaders and improve the program for upcoming years.

“I am coaching this year because I really want to see this program grow and improve,” Raymundo said. “I also want to see these girls grow in godliness as godly women. I am very excited about this year because I think there is a lot of potential with these girls who haven’t cheered before. I love teaching them new things to see improvements in them, so I am interested to see where we will be at the end of the year.”

Raymundo believes the purpose of the clinic is to introduce young girls to cheerleading. The campus cheerleaders hope to show the youngsters the fundamentals of cheerleading while promoting a Christian environment.

Last year, 43 girls attended the event, but this year Raymundo expects over 50 because she thinks that they have done a better job at promoting the event. Unlike previous years, she decided to invite all girls in the community. Raymundo wants kids who do not attend the school to also have the opportunity to participate.

As one of two captains senior Hannah Avila enjoys seeing the girls practice hard at the clinic to learn the various elements of cheerleading.

“The girls go to different stations such as a dance station, big-cheer station, sideline cheer stations, an Eagle-spell-out station and a station where girls learn stunting,” Avila said. “Every year, the girls work so hard and try their best to learn everything we teach them. The Friday of the football game, the girls come early so we can review the things we learned this week. They all look so adorable with the shirts and bows we provide for the clinic.”

At the football game, the girls are scheduled to cheer the first half of the game, performing the Eagle-spell-out, dance and big cheer during halftime. Avila can’t wait to see how this group of girls is different from the last.

“I can’t wait for this year’s clinic because it’s a lot of fun to see the girls want to learn the material we give them so they can become better cheerleaders,” Avila said. “I know this year will be just as great as previous years.”

This author can be reached via Twitter: @mattgarza2017. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.

For more news, read the Oct. 3 article, BRIEF: College trip scheduled to aid students, Nov. 5-6 (VIDEO).