GHS Spirit Squad
The GHS Cheer Squad mid routine. Photo by Claire Adlington.
Gallatin High School's Dance and Cheer teams have been supporting school sports for six years, bringing a bright, fun, and fantastic energy to every event and game they go to. Both of these teams work hard year round to represent GHS school spirit. Yet in all of Gallatin High’s history, the first JV cheer team has just started this year. This has led to a smaller varsity group which includes the lowest numbers ever of 20 people, similar to the total of 16 girls on the GHS Dance Team.
When asked about how many hours go into practice, games, and prep for the girls’ cheer team, head coach Dana Lasher estimated around six to eight hours per week. This is similar for the dance team, with both groups having two practices a week. Both teams have 8 different dances, however in Cheer are 16 counts typically, while in Dance it is fully choreographed. Both coaches have competed in their sports almost their whole lives and coached for the last 20 years, starting at GHS in the last two.
Aside from the coaches, there is a group of hard-working captains for each team. The dance team captains are seniors Sage Bokma, Avery Dale, Charlotte Arlais, Greta Hinez, and Kennedy Laird. As for cheer, they are led by senior Evie Westenskow and freshman Ariana Moore.
This year marks the first time JV sports at Gallatin High School have had a dedicated cheer squad to support them. The JV cheer team is run by Chelsy Barnwell and was founded by Dana Lasher, with Natalie Barnwell as the captain. There has been so much effort put into having a JV team, and it appears that this work has finally paid off. Parents at these JV events appreciate the work that the team puts into cheering on the crowd, and are loving the encouragement their kids are getting.
When interviewing dance coach Tara Shila, I asked her opinion about whether they would ever have a JV squad. She responded, “If I am the coach, no. I think it's a great thought if they could get somebody else or if there was an assistant coach to manage it. That would be really amazing to have that opportunity and representation, and such a better opportunity for some others.”
So while dance may not have a JV team under current coaching, JV cheer will be bringing spirit to Gallatin High’s less supported groups, and both of these hardworking squads will be keeping the momentum on their successful seasons.
