Emerson Cheer proudly placed 8th overall in state at the Fort Worth Convention center.   The UIL season is very competitive and extremely busy for all sports, and during their season, additional practices are added to perfect their routines such as chants and jumps. Their routine consists of three parts: their band chant, crowd leading and fight song which differs from their usual performance at pep rallies.

 For UIL season, cheer starts prepping from the beginning of the year with tryouts and they create a team with four alternates. Coaches play a big role in cheer success as they hold all girls accountable and make sure that everyone is being a team player and contributing to the team. UIL expects clean and well thought-out routines and sideline routines from cheer and they are scored on specific criteria. Last week cheer got a score of 44.5 placing them in 6th place for band chant. They also received a score of 83.2 for crowd leading, and placed 7th for this category.  For a lot of girls this is their last UIL season and competition. For the past four years they have built friendships and traditions. 

“We have always made up a short saying every year before UIL that we chant before we go out, and I hope they continue that after we all leave,” four-year cheerleader Emma Heinicke, 12, said. 

Seniors enjoy their traditions from years prior and share them with the new members of cheer.

“Every time we do a show or competition, our captain gives a pep talk to get us excited and calm or nerves. For me it makes me more excited to perform,” cheerleader Carlota Ferrer, 10, said. 

Many people make different assumptions about cheer but they do not truly understand the process during the season. 

“I think people assume we don’t do a lot[of] practice…but it’s truly what some cheerleaders look forward to, and it’s our main event of the year and we practice since school starts till January,” Ferrer said. 

Cheer has prioritized team bonding and this shows great success in their routines with the chemistry the group has together. This was truly showcased and a big factor of their victory this year. 

“Especially this year I got close with a lot of friends that I don’t normally really talk to, but since they are on my side and we are always practicing really hard I learn to be friends with them and make conversation,” Ferrer said. 

All of their prep was worth it and they are extremely grateful for the outcome. Make sure to congratulate and cheer for their achievement which is a first for the group, showing their success.