The Houlton High School cheerleading squad is going “old school” this year. That’s right. Cheers that pump up the fans from the sidelines, while combining with a choreographed routine to be unveiled.
“We are bringing back some old traditions the crowd seems to enjoy and adding some new material to promote school spirit,” agreed new coaches Renae Foley and Michelle Sullivan. “We are hoping the crowd will get more involved in cheers during games.”
Foley and Sullivan are replacing longtime coaches Julie Dunn and Shari Good this season.
Since the Houlton varsity cheerleaders have distinguished themselves among the top in Class C at cheerleading meets, Foley and Sullivan are hoping to build on tradition.
“We hope to build on the strong cheering program that is place,” they agreed. “As junior high cheerleading coaches, we worked closely with Julie and Shari to establish a firm foundation for the girls entering high school. We want to continue that tradition and hope to have solid routine for our competitions.”
The Houlton cheerleaders hosted the National Cheer Association camp last summer and the NCA offers to coordinate choreography for routines.
“Our choreographer will be here this weekend,” said Foley. “We will be working on an ‘80s theme,” Sullivan added.
Last year, Foley coached the Houlton Junior High School cheering program and prior to that she was the varsity cheering coach at Southern Aroostook Community School from 1993-98.
I cheered during high school and coached before I had children,” explained Foley. “I have always loved cheering and really enjoyed coaching the junior high squad. When the opportunity opened up to coach at the varsity level, I thought it would be fun to continue working with the girls that I coached in junior high. I am happy to be coaching with Mrs. Sullivan.”
Sullivan coached the junior high cheerleaders in 2010-11 and has been a volunteer assistant varsity tennis coach at the school since 2010.
“Since I know the girls, I thought it would be fun to work with them outside of the classroom,” she said.
The Houlton cheerleaders will be led by two seniors, along with a number of new girls, who will be working hard to get their performance flawless.
“Since we have worked closely with the previous coaches as junior high coaches, there should be a seamless transition for the girls,” the coaches noted. “The squad will be working together with the band and the Student Council to promote school spirit and perfect their competition routine. The team has had great coaches who make it very easy for us to step in to this established program. We have big shoes to fill because Houlton is known for an awesome cheering program. We are anticipating a great season.”
Cheering this year are: freshmen, Hannah Jacobs, Chloe Davis, Lexi Fore, Sarah Delano, Taylor Reed, Hannah Foley, Megan McLaughlin, Tessa Roshto, Medinah Diane, Rachel Toupin and MacKenzie Hunt; sophomores, Abby Fore, Katie Knights, and Taylor Barnes; juniors, Hayley Flewelling, Morgan Wotton, Jackie Condon, Jennah Rand, Emily Dickison, Autumn London and Caleigh Sullivan; and seniors, Jessica Thorne and Emily Dee. The team is managed by freshman Jennah Blake.
