Rock Island High School takes Homecoming very seriously. For the Cheer Team, it’s not all glitter and bows. Homecoming Week is the most stressful week of the season. Senior cheerleader Dylan Frantz says, “It’s very hard to stay positive because you get so stressed out.” This year’s Homecoming routine theme is 2010s. The cheerleaders do dances, kicklines, jumps, and stunts to showcase their talent. “I’m looking forward to the routine, as a whole, and the energy that this year’s group will bring to it,” Head Coach Patricia Gallegos said.
While the audience sees a flawless routine, the stress that the squad goes through doesn’t show on the field. Frantz says, “It takes 2-4 weeks to even have a full routine. You gotta start making the dance ASAP because we can’t waste any time. The hardest part is making sure all the dances and stunts with the music flow together.” The cheer team only practices twice a week preparing for the coming week’s football game. Once September hits for the Varsity cheerleaders, it’s go time! “Varsity usually takes time as needed once practices start to start putting together the theme, music, formations, outfit ideas, dances and stunts. In the last two weeks before Homecoming, we practice every day, even staying late to ensure that everything is performance ready,” Coach Gallegos stated. Frantz also said that the dances can be weird to learn, as some teammates may get mad or upset when they get placed and it causes tension between the squad. “At practice, it can be stressful because of our coaches, but when someone makes a joke, or we mess around, it makes practicing for Homecoming so much fun,” Frantz also said.
While practicing during this stressful time, Coach Gallegos makes sure to incorporate fun ideas to do during practices. “We try to have meals together after long practices and on the Thursday before the Homecoming game, we decorate the football locker rooms. We will also have themed practices to make the week even more fun.” So far this season, the cheer team has dressed up on Thursday practices before the game as the student section theme for the following day. It’s not just dressing up that makes team bonding fun, Frantz says, “Team bonding happens when we start stunting. Everyone is so supportive even when we mess up, it just helps our team grow.”
Although there is always a Homecoming routine, the squad always has a goal; whether it’s a stunt they want to hit or a dance the team wants to perfect, there is always that one goal. Sometimes, it’s a mental goal to keep a smile on your face or make it the best routine of their high school years. Frantz says, “I want to make this year special, and make sure it’s an overall positive environment. I always have to remind myself to make it the best year, since it’s my senior year.” Keeping the crowd engaged and the energy up is always a huge part of the routine. “My goal for the Homecoming routine is to bring a high level of energy to the pep assembly and football game,” Gallegos said.
Once it gets to game day, this squad looks flawless, but so much goes into making them look perfect. All of the stress and long practices is what makes this team grow together and become like a family. “I’m very excited about this year’s Homecoming routine. I always get a little nervous in preparation the few weeks before Homecoming, but once the routine starts coming together, I get very excited!” Gallegos said. The squad is looking forward to performing this year’s Homecoming routine on September 27th for everyone to finally see what they work almost all season on.
