Cheer clinic hosts 65 young girls, teaches dance and spirit

Holyoke’s Cheer Squad, led by Coach Megan Humphreys and Assistant Coach Eva Martinez, hosted and conducted a youth cheer clinic at Holyoke Senior High last Friday, Feb. 10. Sixty-five young girls, some as young as four, poured into the old gym at 8:30 that morning. 

With tennies tied tightly to their feet, hair in ponytails and water bottles in tow, the girls all eagerly began their day in the auditorium. Parents dropped their girls off for the day and a performance that only the little girls got to see began on the auditorium stage. Humphreys called her squad out to introduce them to the girls. 

The first time, the Holyoke cheer squad came out with less-than-enthusiastic attitudes. One cheerleader was wearing heels, one was texting on her cell phone, one had extremely long fake nails that were paper nails for the sake of theatre, one had large hoop earrings on, and many didn’t have great footwear or didn’t have their hair pulled up. When asked to begin a cheer, the girls half-heartedly chanted a cheer in monotone voices that were entirely out of sync and barely audible. Their cheer ended, thankfully, and they gave an apathetic show of spirit. 

They attempted to begin another cheer, and Humphreys quickly intervened and instructed them to please stop. The squad retreated behind the backdrop and the coach asked the girls what they thought: She was met with lots of thumbs down and “Not good!” from the audience. Humphreys then asked the girls what they did wrong. The girls were able to quickly point out things that were inappropriate, not cool, unsafe and not very spirit-like at all. She then asked if they’d like them to try it again. The audience earnestly cheered, hoping to see a better example this time. 

Holyoke cheerleaders reentered the stage, this time properly clad with safe footwear, no more earrings, hair up and no more fake nails. They cheered with enthusiasm and vigor, adorning pretty smiles and happy, loud voices. These cheerleaders had done a fantastic job of giving a real example to the children of what not to do and then what they should do, so they could see it for themselves.

After the initial introduction and when the coach had taught the girls what their helpers’ names were – which they all caught on to rather quickly – they all were assigned to smaller groups, and divided up and taken to different areas throughout the school to practice. The cheerleaders taught each little girl in her group two cheers and one dance routine. These cheerleaders executed this clinic with grace and efficiency. It was truly a pleasure to watch these young ladies work with groups of more than 20 girls and never once lose their attention. Many times, a cheerleader could be seen with a toddler on her hip as she carried around a little one who needed extra comfort for a moment or leading groups of preschoolers through the halls for yet another bathroom break. All preschool and kindergarten girls would take the hand of their peers, and quietly and orderly walk to wherever they went, whether it be to the restrooms or the big gymnasium for the the entire group practice.

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