While most San Leandro High students were sleeping in and binging their favorite Netflix show this summer, sophomore Promise Winston and the cheer team were hard at work from 7 a.m.to 6 a.m. preparing for the fall season. The enjoyable Friday nights that students look forward to have much more going on behind the scenes than one would think. But commitment, spirit, and teamwork barely touches the surface.
The San Leandro High cheerleaders represent the rest of the school community as they make sure one another is safe, taken care of and support San Leandro High School’s sports teams as best they can.
“Some important things, like being responsible outside of cheer and being a role model, because we do represent the school in some kind of way, so she [Head Coach Nikki] expects us to behave,” Winston said. “She expects us to have each other’s back in everything.”
The cheerleaders have been hard at work throughout summer and the beginning of the year. Cheerleading is not only putting on a smile, but working on dances, coordination, collaboration, and overall strength.
“Camp was so fun. We came to school at 7 AM and stayed until 6 PM. There were cheer professionals that came in. It was blazing hot outside,” said Winston. “Most of the time was spent stunting, which is when we put people in the air, but it was really fun. You get to bond with your cheer sisters and our group.”
Cheerleaders, as seen in the name, have a job to encourage others to show energy and excitement. The San Leandro High cheerleaders work their hardest to show pride in the school themselves and encourage others to do the same. This can be seen during lunch on the quad, during rallies, and even during a typical school day.
“Coach expects us to have spirit all the time, to participate in spirit week we’re cheerleaders, so you have to cheer everyone on,” Winston said.
When not feeling one’s best, it is comforting to know that you have people supporting and rooting for you. Winston describes the team energy as uplifting and encouraging. The overall community can be described as a family, a sisterhood.
“We all motivate each other, your spirit is lifted, even when we’re tired. You have a bad day, you come into practice, and feel the energy and you’re ready, you’re pumped, you’re excited,” Winston said.
Everyone is at a different level, has a different skill set, and i focused on their specific goals. Of course varsity is an advanced level, but everyone has work to do. The varsity cheerleaders don’t only want to be role models for other cheerleaders to look up to, but they are still learning along with everyone else. The group is not seen as a hierarchy, but a collaborative community.
“Say, we’re having trouble, I think we all have that passion and want to get better. Even the captains, they’re really good, but they still want to be better. And they want to inspire the rest of us. And for those of us that aren’t captains, we also want to inspire the rest of us. Like, it’s kind of like all-round motivation,” Winston said.
Winston strongly emphasized the fact of trying to not be fearful as this may hold one back. Showing nervousness and seeming as though someone is unsure of themself will stand out, and not in the way one would hope to. During tryouts, Winston describes her experience as nervewracking, but a decent way to practice getting over her fear. She was a whole count off for a while, but still managed to keep a smile. This showed the coaches her potential, professionalism, and her tenacious nature.
“Just smile through it. Feel like you’re the main character. I think that really helps, and don’t be scared. Just have fun. I think the coaches really enjoy seeing people that even though they messed up, they have the spirit. They want to be better. It’s just their fear is holding them back a little bit,” Winston said.
Winston has learned in her experience that by not giving it your all, you are losing out and only hurting yourself. Why wouldn’t someone want to work their hardest? Everyday she is working out and taking time out of her day, might as well make it worth it. She explains that not everyone wants to work out everyday and push themselves, but everyone wants to “reach that spot” or feel that high and either make varsity or to generally improve as a cheerleader.
“When your coach is too lenient, does it force you to learn? Sometimes, being forced to grow is good. She [Coach Nikki] really wants us to be better than when we tried out for the team,” Winston said.
Staying in one spot and keeping the same habits is nice, comfortable. But change is necessary for growth. Change is how to improve and be proud of one’s self.
“She [Coach Nikki] always says don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself,” said Winston.
