By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Having cheered together for most of their high school careers, the five seniors who are the Wyoming Lee Cheer team make the moves look effortless as members lift up their flyer, anticipating her movements.
“We have come a long way,” said senior Amy Sosa. “There is just the five us and we have this really strong bond. We’re happy that we are all here and we do really well together.”
Like so many of the winter high school sports teams, the Wyoming Lee cheer team had the long wait to find out if it would even have a season. When the green light was given, the Wyoming Lee team came ready to tuck and roll as they quickly snagged second and third place wins at their first two meets.
Not an easy feat considering that there was a change in divisions for the cheer programs in the OK Conference, according to Coach Jody Hankis Snyder. Wyoming Lee is now part of the OK Silver which includes Comstock Park, Sparta, Kelloggsville, Godwin Heights, Belding, Hopkins, NorthPointe Christian and Calvin Christian.
“We have all worked so hard,” said senior Arely Fernandez. “We have built so many memories and so many friendships that it would have been really sad if we couldn’t finish it out on our last year.
“This is like our opportunity to show that we can do something that is fun and cool.”
There have been challenges as the team has had to work with new rules to prevent the spread of COVID 19, one of which is the requirement to wear masks even when performing.
“It is not the same voices,” said senior Elsy Bonilla. “You can’t show the excitement like you could without a mask.
“Still we have been doing really well despite the challenges, landing in the top tier of the teams.”
Also many high school sports teams saw a reduction in participation due to COVID. This meant new challenges from some on the Wyoming Lee cheer team as they filled spots that were open.
“I’m a base,” said senior Arely Fernandez. “I have always been a flyer so I never would have thought that I could be a base.
“This has shown me how strong I am and now round three has become my favorite round because I am able to show off that strength.”
With senior Adriana Landis adding that the team has gained other strengths as well.
“We have learned to teach each other and to motivate each other,” Landis said adding this has helped not only on the floor but to cement the bonds of friendship as well.
