The Cinnaminson High School cheer squad supports the football team, encouraging and lifting the spirits of athletes and fans alike.
This season, the squad welcomed many new members. In addition to the new freshmen this year, the coaches combined the JV and varsity teams into one large team.
Although this may present a challenge, Moira Lafferty, the new head coach, said she believes the girls have the ability to adapt to challenges and support one another.
Lafferty expressed her anxiety stepping into the role; however, with the support of the other coaches and her assistant coach, as well as the captains, she said she quickly became comfortable.
Not only does support benefit the coaches, but it also benefits the cheerleaders. Senior captains Olivia Ruggieri, Ryan Cartony, Marissa Daniels, and Evelyn Souza-Silva are big leaders who add to the team’s support and success.
“It’s like a sisterhood…” Ruggieri said about how she enjoys her special bond with her teammates.
Ruggieri said she believes having a community that includes everyone is important for the girls to grow as cheerleaders as well as people.
“Just being a shoulder to lean on and always being there if they have any questions or, even just [if they] want to talk about things, even if it’s unrelated to cheer,” Ruggieri said.
Even though the cheerleaders spend a lot of time together in school, the team also likes to do team bonding activities outside of school.
Holly Kirstein, a junior on the team, noted the girls’ enthusiasm to strengthen their connection with each other.
“We have a lot of team dinners. And sometimes you know, make posters.”
Although creating memories with the girls is a good thing, as with every season, it must come to an end. At the end of this season, the seniors will have to move on as the others move up.
“It’s definitely bittersweet because I’m graduating…it makes it exciting to know that I have a really good group of girls to have a really good senior year,” Ruggieri said.
Both Kirstein and Lafferty believe that students should put themselves out there and get involved in CHS, as well as the cheer team.
“No matter their experience level, there’s a place for everyone to grow and contribute to the team,” Lafferty said.
