As the school year comes to an end, the cheer team has been looking forward to next year's season by preparing for cheer tryouts. Practices were held May 2, 4, 9, and tryouts will be held May 12.

Each cheerleader is required to fill out an information sheet and get a teacher recommendation. Coach Becky Haenfler said, “For tryouts they will be required to do jumps, cheers, and a short dance. I know they will all do a great job!”

Regardless of the outcome, Haenfler is optimistic about the quality of cheerleaders for the 2022-23 seasons. All of the cheerleaders are returning with the exception of graduate Reese Powers. Returning squad members are Gracie Small, Kimmy Tolsma, Sarah Swier, Madi Mudder, McKenna Kocmich, Ella Small, Mylie Bares and Maesa Kuhlman. Ashley Tolsma will return as the Pirate mascot. “I am really excited about this group of girls!! We have eight girls trying out for our football and basketball cheer teams. The girls trying out have a lot of experience, so learning new material for the tryouts isn’t so intimidating.”

Once the squads are determined, the real work begins. “I’m looking forward to building off of their experience and adding new routines once we have our teams selected,” Haenfler said.