Growing Up In University Place

The next seven minutes could determine what my 7th grade year will look like. 11 other girls, competing for seven spots on the JAJH Cheer Team. My hands were shaking, and I was so nervous inside. What if I don’t make it? What if I make myself look like a complete fool? Falling on my face, tripping, doing the wrong cheer, all of these factors were racing through my mind. But I had to plaster that smile on my face, black shorts, white shirt, bow, tennis shoes, I was ready. Routines rushing through my head, one after the other, over and over. Five, six, seven, eight, one… Three days of practicing and learning the material for those next seven minutes.

One member of the team, Michaels Jones, tells us this, and explains how difficult it is to fit these fundraisers into her already busy schedule. Having the cheerleaders, and band at football games is an important part of the atmosphere and is one aspects many students consider when choosing a school.

I was born in June the year UCONN won their first men’s basketball championship. I’m sure I heard my mother cheer when the final buzzer rang. She was not the first Husky, though. It was my aunt, Judy Lion Carbonella, a graduate of ‘82, who planted the seed early on for me to follow in her footsteps. There are also my cousins: Captain Anthony Carbonella IV, undergraduate of ’07 and graduate from UCONN Dentil ‘11, U.S. Air Force Dentist; Gregory Carbonella, ‘11, now in medical school; Daniel Carbonella, ‘11, UCONN School of Business; Jeffrey Carbonella ‘16, currently anticipating his acceptance into UCONN’s medical school, my brother, Mitchell DelVecchio, ‘10, Pharmacist, and my mother, ‘85, Math Department Head.

From a young age, I held a passion for being a part of my future high school’s football team. As a fourth grade girl, I figured the only way to participate in such a way was to become a cheerleader. Attending the mini cheerleading camps filled me with excitement and anticipation of my future as a Reicher Catholic High School cheerleader. However, I later realized my lack of dedication to the sport decreased my likeness towards cheerleading. In sixth grade I spoke up about that realization to my family, who told me about the sports medicine program at Reicher. “The football trainers are considered a part of the team,” said my brother. I quickly set my mind towards becoming a Reicher football trainer of sports medicine instead, becoming absorbed

At New Milford High School, I will belong to the community of Green Wave football for the duration of my life. As a player, my footprint is not simply measured by the amount of wins our program had during my three years on varsity, but it is measured in the complete revolution of the program under Coach Badaracco’s direction. My freshman year, the football team was a bit of a joke, a meeting ground of players who lacked dedication and work ethic, who continuously were being suspended from school, doing drugs, and partaking in other nefarious activities. When Coach Badaracco was hired, he looked to me to lead. He continuously asked me to display what a proper athlete should look like, someone who excelled in the classroom and was active in the community.

While searching through the round, grey tables and plastic, purple chairs, we came up on the football player, Ethan Jerkowski. Abby and I, McKenzie, inquired him about his favorite things about the new school; without a thought, he responded, “The football coaches.” Continuing the questionnaire, we pursued further by asking him why. “I like that they actually care about us, and that they want us to get better as a team and as an individual.”

Words can't even describe the adventure this schools varsity cheerleading program brings you through. There are easy and hard practices. There are obstacles to overcome. There are hardships and happiness. There are victories and loses. All of these aspects bring you through an experience that isn't quite like any other. One adventure.

The strengths that I, Evia Neuman, have acquired and will bring to the Marion High School’s NHS program are the characteristics of scholarship, leadership, character, and service. I am currently in the 11th grade and have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.8. During my high school career I have participated in volleyball, grades 9th-11th, basketball, and sideline cheer both in 9th grade.While on these teams I have learned what it means to be a team to strategize with other people to come up with a solution that works in the end. As captain of the volleyball team in 10th grade I learned how to be more of a leader. However when I was not a captain doesn’t mean I didn’t still try to lead and keep the team up to persevere through obstacles.

Our mission is to provide young scholars, student-athletes, and adults with comprehensive and supplementary academic services that cater to the individual learning and functioning needs. Therefore, we have no doubt that this is a great initiative that will bring about a positive rapport between your student athletes, as it establishes a “spirit of community” between our parents, student athletes and other wrap- around services. I hope to hear from you

As senior year approached, I had made the decision to tryout for Harlingen High School’s cheerleading squad. Being placed on a team of thirty-two girls, it was surely unavoidable to become caught up in disagreements. For instance, in June of 2015, our squad traveled to Austin, TX to attend UCA (Universal Cheerleaders Association) cheer camp. At camp, the five seniors on our team each competed for UCA All-American, an award given to select individuals through a tryout process. Later, during camp, the cheerleaders who happened to make All-American were announced. It was soon discovered that each five seniors had received this award. I assumed everyone would be full of joy. However, to my amazement, the atmosphere appeared much different.

In the middle of June I’ll find myself on the football field drenched in sweat, hoping to make a “2-Peat”. I’ll be embraced by all the coaches and fellow players, we’ll all be like one big happy family. On game days the stands will be packed full of screaming fans, all confident that Monroe will win the game. After the win, the opposing team will leave with their heads held high, because we’re only good athletes, we don’t compare to the well rounded student-athletes at their school.

Holmes High School pride comes in many different ways. Whatever it may be, students demonstrate pride in their school in various ways. Holmes’ student doesn’t have to participate in sport or any other activities. You can happy show spirit by just wearing the school color or any spirit wear. Holmes High School get a lot of involvement from student and parents. Parents love to be involvement in any after school activities. Parental involvement continues to be a driving force in the well-being of the schools. In order for kids to be more successful, parents must be actively involved in their achievements. For example, for every girl’s game you would see their parents in the stands cheering them on. Student get more involve with spirit week,

Senior Ryan Tilley doesn’t only cheer for his school, he gives his school something to cheer about. Wherever Ryan, otherwise known as The Life of the Party, is he brings his enthusiasm for school activities ranging from parades to sporting events, and everything in between. Seeing that he is in Student Council and National Honor Society he even takes part in planning exciting activities for his fellow classmates in hopes that it will increase school pride. In addition to this, Ryan plays for his school’s football, basketball, and baseball teams. Just last year Hominy High School ended their football season undefeated and brought home their fifth football state championship with the final score being forty-two to fourteen; this is something

Yesterday was February 5th, 2016. I was writing a journal while I’m eating my dinner in a kitchen. I think backward to the time I was just awake.

At Bergen Catholic High School, there are no pep rallies or spirit week. No assemblies to boost our school spirit or anything of the sort. Instead of fostering pride in our school, the administration tames our energy. From the chants in the middle of hallways to the mayhem that ensues in the cafeteria before rival football games, we students are full of pride.