Name: Brooke Betz

Grade: Junior

Sport: Competitive cheer

How long have you been cheering for? What is your stunting position?

“I have been cheering since the summer before freshman year. I am the main base.”

Who inspired you to start?

“In eighth grade during lunch one day, a few of the seniors at the time came down and were passing out flyers and talking about the sideline cheer program. They said even if you don’t have any experience, which [at the time] I didn’t know much about cheer, to come up and see what it’s all about.”

What is your favorite cheer memory?

“I loved going to Robinette’s one year with the team.”

What is the difference between sideline and competitive?

“Sideline cheer is a little more laid back; you cheer at games. For competitive, you compete and it’s more serious and intense. You get to compete against other schools on the mat for a score. It’s really fun and more challenging.”

What is your favorite round in Comp? Why?

“I love round one. It is my favorite because there are so many weird but cool motions and they all connect together to form a really visual round. It’s also not too hard and it challenges you to remember where you move to and what each motion is. It’s the first round, you perform so everyone can see what you are all about.”

How do you feel about FHC having their own competitive team this year?

“I was super excited when I first heard the news. I love having a team of just FHC.”

What three characteristics do you feel are most important for cheerleaders to possess? Why?

“Positive attitude, confidence, and commitment. I believe these three because to be a cheerleader you have to be positive no matter what. Even if you can’t do something you just have to smile through it all. Your attitude is really important and also plays a big part of how your team as a whole is reflected. [Without a good attitude the team’s] confidence wouldn’t be a good as it should be. To make teamwork strong you have to put the work in to make the team happen. Everyone has to be a part of it no matter what.”

Why do you want to cheer for high school as opposed to an all-star program?

“You can get to know more of the people in your school and make lifelong friendship with your teammates. It’s an experience that you will never be able to have on an all-star team.”

What do you think are the team’s best quality?

“How nice, caring, and understanding everyone is on the team.”