It’s without a doubt that North Augusta Friday nights are only be possible because of the dozens of people working behind the scenes that make it happen. Boosters, fans, supporting parents, students and athletes, all contribute to the electric atmosphere. But one key factor of Friday nights in the nest is the NAHS cheerleaders. Led by Coach Rhonda Norris, our Yellow Jacket cheerleaders bring their spirit and smiles to all the games.
Seeing as how Covid-19 has affected our football team, the cheerleaders also had to make accommodations to participate within this pandemic. Cheer Captain Kendra Sterling says, “Covid has effected the cheer team because of all the new rules and protocols that have to be followed to ensure the safety of ourselves and others. Wearing masks is different in everyone’s world, including our cheer team’s! We also have to spread apart more than usual, which has its challenges with timing and being able to hear the rest of the team.” The team is far more spaced out on the sidelines than in years past due to social distancing; due to this, cheers and dances are having to be changed in order to follow the guidelines. Sterling also says,” Covid has really affected our dances. As North Augusta cheerleaders, we pride ourselves in having traditional dances that have intricate line shifts. Since Covid hit, we are no longer allowed to switch lines, which has led to reconfiguration of most of our dances.” Thus, the cheerleaders have learned to practice with new protocols in order to be prepared for the game. When asked about practice, Sterling says, “Cheer practice has changed due to the pandemic tremendously. Usually we have a couple of weeks of practice with the junior varsity squad, which has not been able to take place. Both cheer squads’ practices have been held separately. “Junior Emily Collins stated that practice was, “more socially distanced and we are required to wear masks. Our temperatures get taken every practice and we can’t congregate too close together during breaks.”
The pandemic has affected athletic audiences nation-wide. Watching a game from a fan’s perspective is so much different than ever before. To see how the dynamic of the crowd has changed from an on-field perspective, Sterling was asked what is like with this new corona adaptive audience. She said, “The dynamic of the crowd is different this year, because there is half the amount of people, and they are all required to wear masks. There are not as many people attending the games like usual, so the stands don’t appear to be as loud and involved. As cheerleaders, we often find our backs to the game, so we rely on the faces of the crowd to interpret how the game is going. With masks being required, we are not able to judge people’s emotions as well.”
You see the cheerleaders as you walk into games, cheering on the sidelines and at community functions. But why did they choose cheer? Collins says, “Cheer is always a thrill to me. I love coming down to the football field on Friday nights and being able to cheer on my jackets. I love the rush of excitement when cheering on the team. Cheering with my friends is another highlight because it’s always so much fun with them and we love representing NAHS as a team!” Clearly, the girls share a bond like no other. As a team, they learn to win and lose together, and experience the joys of high school. With Sterling being a senior at NAHS, she says, “Cheerleading has affected my high school experience because I am apart of such an amazing sisterhood that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am so thankful for cheer because it has held me accountable for my actions and my grades. Cheerleaders are considered the face of the school, and we are held to higher expectations than most high school sports. I love cheer and am so thankful for all the experiences and memories I have gained from it.”
Through it all, the cheerleaders have always supported our Yellow Jacket athletics. From homecomings, to four-time state championships, you can always depend on a spirited girl to be on the sidelines. These Yellow Jackets have handled the challenges of the corona virus with grace, and continue to bring a light to every Friday night.
Pictured: NAHS Cheerleading Team
Emily Collins, Ashley Grant, Keiri McKie, Arryonda Moody, Lia Murphy, Harlee Bryant, Taylor Muns
Photographer: AnnElise Baxley
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