Cheerleaders Inspire Future Generations
Junior Knights, a program where kids ranging from first to fourth grade, come to Las Lomas from local elementary schools, to learn how to be cheerleaders.
“Las Lomas has been doing this for as long as I can remember, I did Junior Knights when I was a kid!" said varsity cheerleader Katrine Kirsebom.
The cheerleaders await this time of year with enthusiasm and high spirits.
“I look forward to junior knights every football season mostly because of their enthusiasm and teachable spirit. This year junior nights falls on senior night however I wouldn’t wanna share the spotlight with any other group of dedicated young athletes," said varsity cheerleader Adelina Chavez.
Although this is an amazing experience for the cheerleaders, there are difficulties that come with the job.
“It’s sometimes difficult to teach the kids a whole routine in three days because it takes them a while to adjust to a bigger campus environment with older kids as opposed to their intimate school environment. Also, some of the younger kids are still learning their numbers which can add a barrier since our team teaches in 1-8 counts," said Chavez.
These obstacles however, are easily faced because of the children’s optimism and enthusiasm.
“We’re always so excited to teach them and they’re always pumped to learn," said Kirsebom.
“I participated in my first junior knights event in 2004 and actually wrote about my experience in one of the essay portions for my college application submission," said Chavez.
“I absolutely love junior Knights. Typically, high school cheer may be looked down upon or overlooked, so we don’t really get many people who are excited about our routines and stunts, but when we do junior Knights we have someone looking up to us and giving us a reason to work hard," said Kirsebom.
“I became a cheerleader because I did the program when I was little and the idea has stuck with me ever since and if we can give kids that same encouragement I had, then I think it’s a great program," said Kirsebom.
