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Friday, September 12, 2008
Tiger Pep
Greater Louisville, KY
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By: Holly McArthur
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Photo(s) By: Maria Raque
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Fern Creek cheerleaders are turning up the spirit.
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“Cheerleaders need to be all-around athletes. They need to be strong and have endurance and be as flexible as gymnasts are.” -- Jessica Valentino, Fern Creek Cheerleading Coach
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School spirit is front and center at Fern Creek High School and the varsity cheerleading squad plans to take the pep to a whole new level. The 15-member team made its official debut August 29 at the home opener football game against Meade County with a new coach in charge. Ohio native Jessica Valentino has taken over as head cheerleading coach, and she has big plans for her girls.
“Our goal is to really get the crowd and the students involved more,” says Valentino. The cheerleaders won’t be alone in their mission to get the crowd going. A longtime tradition at the school is for students to dress up in their most outrageous costumes, paint their faces and transform themselves into a group affectionately known as “Creek Crazies.”
“The Creek Crazies are awesome. They cheer right along with us, and it is such a great feeling,” says senior cheerleader Mollie Mae Adcox. In her fourth and final year on the team, she wants Tiger pride to reach an all-time high.
“Being a senior, I just want to be a good leader and show everyone that we have great teams with great coaches,” says Adcox. The cheerleaders hope they will have plenty to cheer about, especially during the football season. After going 8-4 last year, the football Tigers are returning to action with a seasoned group of experienced juniors and seniors under the leadership of head coach Curtis Higgins.
To get the football team and the crowd pumped up before each game, the cheerleaders create giant banners for the Tigers so they can make a dramatic entrance onto the field. Senior cheerleader Shateria Jones says it is one simple way to get the crowd going. As a leader on the squad, Jones is also looking for ways to help younger students feel part of the school community.
“The seniors can really step up and help. We need to tell the younger girls, don’t say ‘I can’t’ because you can do anything,” says Jones.
That can-do attitude is echoed by Valentino. Her athletes work hard, practicing three days a week after school. During that time, the cheerleaders stretch, condition, run and rehearse a variety of cheers and dance routines. They also practice tumbling. Many of the girls are expert flippers, capable of back handsprings and even the more difficult back tucks and layouts.
“Cheerleaders need to be all-around athletes. They need to be strong and have endurance and be as flexible as gymnasts are,” says Valentino, herself a former gymnast.
As for any critic who says cheerleading isn’t a ‘real sport,’ the girls say don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
“A lot of people think all we do is yell and yoo-ha, but it’s actually a lot more. We lift girls equal to our weight,” says Jones. “There can be accidents. Sometimes, we are putting our life in our teammate’s hands.”
Creating trust and a true team spirit are both goals of the new coach and so far, the girls like what they see.
“Coach Valentino is a great coach, and she is really helping us be a team instead of just a bunch of girls,” says junior Amanda Codispoti.
Plans for the future include entering more competitions and possibly adding a junior varsity squad. For right now, the focus is all on school spirit.
“I know our principal, Dr. (Houston) Barber, wants students to take more ownership of the school. We really want to be a part of that explosion of ‘Fern Creek love,’ I guess you could call it,” says Valentino.
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