One Cheerleading Team: Building Trust, One Stunt at a Time

Anisa D’Onofrio ‘29

As the Fontbonne Hall Academy cheerleading season is officially underway, they are now focused on growing as a team, building all the confidence and trust needed. Behind the scenes and all the long practices, hard working athletes are all working together and striving for the same goal.

For one of the captains Katherine Clare, being captain is more than just a title, it's about “Showing up for my team and leading by example,” and being a shoulder to lean on.

Katherine strongly believes that her  teammates need someone they can depend on and rely on to share both their strengths and weaknesses with her, urging that “The team will only continue to thrive.” This highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment where everyone can  thrive and grow together. 

Not every practice is as easy as it seems for Katherine, but she doesn't focus on a few bad practices but on the bigger picture, stressing the importance of “Growing together as a team, knowing everything we do at practice has a purpose, and in the end, it will always come together.” Instead of letting all the bad practices get to her, she sees it as an opportunity for the team to grow together and work towards the bigger goal.  

While the team is still working together to grow, the coaches have high expectations for this season. Each season they aim to earn a bid to Nationals. They hold each and every athlete to high standards, even though they recognize each team grows at their own pace, especially for a new junior varsity team when this is most athletes’ first competition.

For the coaches, success for them looks like a team that doesn't back out when they face challenges when the athletes perform their 2 minute and 45 second routine that take several months to prepare. What matters even more is their effort and perseverance, rather than where they place. 

One trait that the coaches believe is the strongest is kindness and trust. Cheerleading requires learning new stunts which takes patience and communication between the athletes and coaches. The coaches appreciate the understanding and effort the athletes put into cheer.