Spirit squads are used all over the country to not only cheer on the team, but to also involve the fans in the stands. North’s ESC spirit squad is no different. With their special abilities, they work extra hard to cheer on the team and bring smiles to the students faces.
“The Spirit Squad is the special needs cheer team here at North. We practice twice a week and then they come and cheer with us cheerleaders at all home football and basketball games as well as assemblies. We have taught them every cheer, chant, and dance that we have,” senior Ainsley McCubbin said.
The spirit squad is becoming more involved the longer they’re here, and the team hopes to attend even more sporting events eventually.
“They cheer at the home games. And last year we cheered at girls and boys basketball because we’re in collaboration with the cheerleaders and that’s what they cheer at, though I think it would be amazing to get them at other sporting events,” math teacher Leigh Burgener said.
The ESC spirit squad has a large amount of support. Leigh Burgener and Maria Grantham do their best to make it student directed.
“The goal was for it to be student led because a lot of the kids in the essential skills classroom are used to being with adults and paraprofessionals, so we wanted them interacting with their own student body more than just students in their classroom,” Burgener said.
The spirit squad is not only a place for the ESC to form connections with other students, but it’s also an opportunity for them to establish a community with each other and establish a larger sense of belonging.
“I absolutely love being involved with the spirit squad! We have so much fun. They also always know how to make us laugh and they are truly the best. I’m so grateful to have to opportunity to work with them and watch the program get bigger. I will miss them so much next year,” McCubbin said.
Some people love being involved with the spirit squad, and love helping them put smiles on other peoples faces.
“I love being involved with the spirit squad, it’s a great group of kids and they always put a smile on my face, so I love that they’re able to get out there to help put smiles on other peoples faces,” Burgener said.