The halftime routine at the homecoming football game is a show that many fans look forward to. For many years, the cheer and dance teams have had separate routines, but this year, they decided to join forces. Cheer coach Mel Schmitt and dance coach Maddie Bastian worked hard to formulate a routine that would accommodate both the dancers and the cheerleaders.
“Our inspiration is to bring our teams together to show team unity. We’re one school and we want to support our school as a whole,” said Schmitt.
The last time cheer and dance performed together was in 2020, and every year since, the community has asked when it’s going to happen again.
“I think that the community enjoyed finally being able to see the two teams come together,” said sophomore dance team member Kayla Bauer.
Using the strengths of the two teams helped create a dynamic routine. The cheerleaders and dancers put in a lot of extra work to make their production look good. Extra practice and working in small groups are two ways that they achieved success.
Schmitt said, “Both teams practice at the crack of dawn, so that’s hard as well. Bringing both teams together you have 29 girls. There were all different difficulties, but we did really well and spent lots of mornings making sure that we were in sync.”
A lot of the younger kids at LPS look up to the high school spirit squads.
Bauer said, “I think the younger girls see us as confident, hard-working girls.”
The cheer and dance girls did not have much time to learn this routine, so many girls stepped up to be leaders throughout practices. Success with their performances was everyone’s main focus.
“Many of the girls stepped up to help lead during practices and run-throughs,” said junior cheerleader WyLeigh Bateman.
In the heat of homecoming week, the dancers and cheerleaders kept their focus on their routine. Performing for the crowd at the football game was the ultimate goal for the week. The reaction from the community after the performance was very positive.
Bateman said, “We received many compliments about the routine, especially toward coaches, that we did amazing and were great entertainers.”