Senior cheerleaders are recognized during the final home league football game of the season against Riverdale Christian, Oct. 19. After traveling to many away games and three home games, the Friday night lights have a special place in these cheer seniors’ hearts, just as it is to the senior football players, who are also recognized at the game.
Get to know a little bit about your senior varsity cheerleaders, Amanda Grimmius, Megan Raynes, Bethany Pouliot and Alina Davila.
Amanda Grimmius
Grimmius is one of two head cheerleaders on the cheer squad. She has been on the varsity squad all four year of high school, also cheering throughout elementary and JH. She began cheering since first grade cheer clinic.
What has been your favorite moment from your time in cheer?
My favorite cheer memory is winning the Spirit Award and Camp champs at cheer camp this summer. Just knowing all of the hard work we put in had finally paid off was really cool.
How would you describe your experience cheering at the football games?
Cheering at football games is super exciting! I love getting to pump up the crowd, and cheer on our guys, it’s just all-around a fun and exciting thing.
What is your favorite part about the cheer squad this year?
My favorite part of our team this year is the sweetness in every girl. Each of them is so genuinely precious and kind-hearted; I have never been so thankful for a team as I am this year.
Why do you love cheer?
I love cheer because it challenges me every day. Not only the physical aspects like stunting and jumping, but also in getting me to step out of my comfort zone and be in front of large crowds, which was something I would have never done before I joined cheer.
Though Grimmius would enjoy cheering in college, she strives to focus on her education first and foremost.
Megan Raynes
Raynes is one of two head cheerleaders on the cheer squad. She has been on the varsity squad all four year of high school, also cheering throughout elementary and JH. She has cheered since kindergarten cheer clinic, also cheering along with her older sister, Morgan, since she was young.
What has been your favorite moment from your time in cheer?
My favorite memory has to be when all of the girls surprised the seniors with a flash mob during our midnight practice at cheer camp. It was so unbelievably funny and cute.
How would you describe your experience cheering at the football games?
Cheering at football games are always exciting! It’s a little nerve wracking being in front of your peers while trying to remember to smile, hit the right moves, and not encourage the football team. I love it though, it allows me to get out of my comfort zone and let the crowds excitement motivate me to have fun.
What is your favorite part about the cheer squad this year?
This year the cheer team is made up of genuinely sweet and loving girls. It’s always refreshing to go into practice and know that no matter how bad my day is my cheer team loves me. Everyone is smiling and laughing but at the same time we all love this sport and we take it seriously. I feel like I gained 21 sister that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Why do you love cheer?
I love cheering because it pushes me to face my fears and anxieties. I grew up watching my older sister cheer competitively and I always dreamed of being on a cheer team. It’s always fun to get in front of a crowd and tell myself that my younger self would be proud.
Due to academic and financial reasons, Raynes will not be continuing her cheer career in college. She will be attending Clovis Community College where she plans to become a Real Estate agent.
Bethany Pouliot
This is Pouliot’s first year on the FC varsity cheer squad, and first year cheering ever.
What has been your favorite moment from your time in cheer?
My favorite moments come from not only working hard together as a team to achieve the same goal but the little moments in between where I am able to pour into them in times of need or we can pray over each other and be vulnerable because we are all broken in different ways and by being open with each other is what brings us closer.
How would you describe your experience cheering at the football games?
Cheering at games is definitely a lot of fun. There’s a different feeling that you get from being on the sidelines versus being in the stands and I love it.
What is your favorite part about the cheer squad this year?
As I’ve mentioned previously, I love how transparent these girls are with each other. We all have a heart for Jesus! I’d say that we do such a great job of making sure that Jesus is the center of our practices and our games and in whatever we do, we do it for his glory. A big thanks to the captains Amanda and Megan for leading us in this aspect. We all have that competitive drive to strive to be our best but at the same time we know how to relax and have fun. I don’t think that I’ve ever laughed more than from the moments I’ve spent with my team.
Why do you love cheer?
Not even going to lie…cheer is A LOT harder than I anticipated. It’s not all about just looking pretty and yelling out some cheers here and there. Cheer is a competitive sport that requires a lot of endurance, strength (both mentally and physically), and teamwork. Stunting is the most stressful thing in my opinion but it’s the most fun because of the challenges it brings. Hitting the stunt for the first time after attempting it over and over again is such a great feeling. I love cheering and I wouldn’t ever trade this experience for anything else.
Although Pouliot would enjoy cheering at the college level, she doesn’t feel called to continue cheering in her college career.
She will be attending Clovis Community College, majoring in psychology.
Alina Davila
This is Davila’s first year on the FC varsity cheer squad.
What has been your favorite moment from your time in cheer?
My favorite moment from cheer is getting to know every girl on the team while learning dances and cheers.
How would you describe your experience cheering at the football games?
My experience at football games is very strange. Because not only do I already have a hard time understanding football, but also remembering each cheer is time consuming. But it’s my favorite to stand with my girls and lead the crowd in cheers!
What is your favorite part about the cheer squad this year?
This cheer squad is so loving and energetic! It helps me grow in my own social life. They mean so much to me and I love each and every one of them!
Why do you love cheer?
I love cheer because it’s someone I’ve never done before and always wanted to. And I get to do it being coached by Coach (Hope) Villines and these amazing girls by my side.
Davila does not plan on continuing to cheer in college.
Senior head cheerleaders will be recognized again later in the school year during basketball season. The girls will begin competition season in a few months.
Football next plays away at Laton, beginning at 7 p.m., Oct. 26. Head out and cheer on your varsity football team!
For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2018-19.
