Chants, kicks and stunts are only one aspect of being a cheerleader. This summer, Dallas ISD high school, middle school and elementary students are learning fundamental life skills by spending part of their summer at cheer camp.
While cheer camp isn’t uncommon for high school cheerleaders, for the second year, Dallas ISD Student Activities hosted a cheer camp for elementary students. “What we want students to take away from cheer camp is leadership. We want them to learn how to express themselves, be confident, be outgoing and become a student leader,” said Shenita Jones, Student Activities coordinator. “Allowing anybody who is curious to join the cheer squad at the elementary level allows students to learn and experience something new.”
To prepare for the upcoming school year, students from more than 60 elementary schools attended camp to learn how to cheer, chant and stunt. At the end of camp, the Student Activities department provides teams with sound systems, megaphones, uniforms, pompoms, cheer bows and cheer wagons to take back to their campuses for future spirit events. Throughout the school year, the elementary cheerleaders participate in various events, like pep rallies and PTA meetings, and even help welcome special visitors who come to school. They continue to practice after school in order to showcase their improvements at the December showcase where they are judged by UIL judges.
Coaches expressed their excitement, as they have seen from last year how their students have developed their self-esteem and self-awareness. “They have discovered their voice through this program,” said Pamela Jenkins, the cheer coach for Martin Weiss Elementary School. “Fourth and fifth grade is a rough age for young students, and it’s really good to see that this gives them the confidence to carry themselves well and grow their self-esteem. Students must maintain good academic standing to participate in cheerleading, which is shown throughout the school year as they work hard for their grades.”
Lennon Formaggini, Student Activities coordinator, said, “By attending camp, whether it’s the middle or elementary camp, students definitely receive an advantage. They get to interact with middle and high school cheerleaders at Feeder Pattern Nights, cheering with their middle school and high school peers, and begin interacting with their future coaches.”Cheer camp continues throughout the summer for middle and high schoolers.
Learn more about student activities here: https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/42646
