The Junior Jags program, led by the high school cheer team, allows girls who aspire to be cheerleaders grow in their skills while creating meaningful memories with the high school cheer team.
Junior Jags is a special program where girls from grades K-6 are led by the school’s cheer team to learn new cheers and perform at games.
According to Tonya Housman, who coaches the kindergarten and first grade Junior Jags, the program is vital because it is more accessible than competitive cheer.
“It’s really good for them to get out there, be in front of people, be able to cheer, speak in front of people, chant and not be shy to be in front of people,” Housman said. “It helps them with their self esteem.”
For the high school cheer team, it’s a great commitment that comes with its own responsibilities and obstacles. One challenge that senior Callaway Clifton faces is wanting to give her all with limited time.
“[It’s hard] finding time to manage [Junior Jags] because it’s only one day a week,” Clifton said. “It’s a big responsibility, and you want to do your best.”
Challenges aside, a main positive of the program is how heartwarming cheerleaders find mentoring to be. For many cheerleaders who enjoyed cheer when they were younger, getting to mentor young girls allows them to feel fulfilled.
Senior Stella Beins finds the program nostalgic because she was part of the program in elementary school.
“[It’s] a full circle because I see the younger kids, and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe that was me.’ It’s crazy to look at them and see how little I was,” Beins said.
Another aspect of the program that allows it to be successful is collaboration between parent volunteers and cheerleaders.
Junior Amanda Makalous, who mentors kindergartners, is grateful for the parent volunteers because they are dedicated to helping the team.
“[The parent volunteers] are really the ones organizing the whole thing,” Makalous said.” They do the logistical side, and they’re good at managing, because kindergarten is not easy”
Housman sees the high schoolers as leaders who bring joy to all of the girls.
“[The girls] look up to them so much and light up whenever they see them,” Housman said. “They’re so good, calm and such good role models.”
