Henley stands out on cheer team
Klara Plenk, Reporter
  To senior Lauren Henley, cheerleading means more than any other school sport. Her dedication is evident, and this year, she was made co-captain for both fall and winter cheer. The position requires skills related to team-management and a sense of responsibility.
  With the help of her co-other captain, Maggie Raymond, Henley is responsible for teaching cheers; leading the team at games; assisting with stunts; and organizing the dance, music, and structure of assembly performances.
  “She is a great captain, a good leader, [and] knows how to explain what we are supposed to do,” cheerleader Bea Quarta said. “You can see that she really [enjoys] cheering.”
  Henley has been part of the fall cheer team since her sophomore year. In her junior year, she joined winter cheer as well. Her decision to join the cheer team stemmed from her desire to replace dance, an activity that was a big part of her life until she quit the year before. At this point, Henley had taken classes in ballet for 13 years, in modern dance for nine years, and in jazz, pointe and hip-hop for three years.
  “Cheer is the closest sport to dance because it requires a lot of coordination and understanding of rhythm,” Henley said. “Maggie also did dance with me, and [we] have a similar [understanding] of it, [which] helps us work together.”
  In addition to the athletic side of cheerleading, Henley also enjoys the community aspect, as team members are responsible for motivating the school and crowd at sporting events and assemblies.
  “I think it’s different from other school sports by being more of the image of the school,” Henley said. “Being a cheerleader isn’t just about memorizing all the cheers. It’s about being a[n] uplifting person at sport games and in school.”
  This year, the team planned on competing against other cheer teams for the first time, but, as they lacked time to adequately prepare, they were forced to cancel their plans. Nevertheless, Henley is certain that the team will be able to compete next year.
  Henley also enjoys other hobbies, particularly drawing and tennis, the latter of which she shows particular strength in.
  “My [tennis coach] decided that Paisley Lieske and I are going to be co-captains for this upcoming season, and I am very excited,” Henley said.
  Even though Henley is not planning on continuing cheerleading after high school, she remains passionate about the sport, her team, and their performance.
  “Being a [cheerleader] is about actually caring about your school and classmates and cheering them on [to] improve and do their best, in and out of sports.”.