By Shayla Parker, Arts Editor
With the addition of a song (dance-based) team, new coaches and adviser, and competing for the first time, the 2019-20 school year has brought a lot of change for Kennedy’s cheer and song program. Having lost their JV and varsity cheer coaches nearly right before competition season began, the teams also had to adapt to another new coach during a very critical time.
“I came to Kennedy High School in October with an extensive background as an all-star cheerleader, high school cheerleader, and high school cheer coach,” cheer coach Britany Hull said. “This is the first year that KHS has expanded into the competitive cheer world.”
Both teams were determined to push through the new circumstances, eager to win, and determined to master every new skill that was thrown at them. With Hull’s history in cheer and the help of varsity song coach Taylor Smith, the teams were challenged in many new ways.
“Being able to have the athletes be willing to work hard and grow really helped,” Smith said. “To each team I have both learned and have given knowledge back.”
The hard work and dedication ended up paying off. Kennedy first competed at United Spirit Association (USA) Regionals on Jan. 11, in which varsity cheer won first place, varsity song took second, and JV cheer earned third— all teams qualified to move on to nationals.
“It’s such an amazing feeling watching them try their hardest,” varsity cheer captain Sofia Glitch said. “They are putting so much effort into their routine.”
At their second competition, on Jan. 18 at CHEERpros California State Championships, varsity cheer and song both placed first and JV cheer placed fourth. Both varsity teams were titled State Champions as a result and qualified to move on to the next competition.
“I think today’s win kind of showed us that we didn’t just get lucky the first time,” varsity cheerleader Kayla Jade Clark said.
Varsity cheer and song were able to uphold the program’s winning streak in taking another first place at the Best of the West competition on Feb. 8. JV also earned their first winning title that Saturday.
USA Nationals took place Feb. 14-16 at the Anaheim Convention Center. JV ranked third in junior varsity non-tumbling novice, varsity cheer placed fourth in varsity non-tumbling novice, and varsity song earned fifth in varsity song small group.
“Competing for cheer this year was new for a lot of us, but we made the best of it,” varsity cheer captain Melina Meza said.
All three teams were able to finish the 2019-20 season by ranking first place in their prospective divisions at King of the Bleachers on Feb. 29.
“Comp season was extremely fun, but very tiring as well,” varsity songleader Camilla Raine Banez said. “Overall, it was a very successful season and I’m looking forward to next year.”
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