GAMES
RANKINGS
Hype Queens: Cheer Team Building In Numbers; School Spirit
Little did she know that the Falcons needed a cheer coach as the launch of varsity football was just around the corner.
"It was just a coincidence that they needed a cheer coach and I've had a lot of experience doing just that," she said.
She began to build her program, which started off with a bang.
"We had over 20 students come out for our first-ever team," she said. "It's a commitment because we are the only sport that is year-round, so it's a great way to get involved. It starts with cheer camp in the summer, then we cheer in the fall for volleyball and football and for soccer and basketball in the winter. "We train every week at Woodlands Elite to learn stunting and dancing. But, really, it's all about the pep rallies."
The on-campus pep rallies are themed and take months of planning.
"The kids love the pep rallies," she said. "For them, it's all about the details. It really gets the rest of the student body involved."
The team also introduced a new element to the spirit squad – Felix the Falcon – the school's brand-new mascot, who was hatched in 2020-21.
Working together all year really bonds her team, Twellman said as she also tries to sprinkle in life lessons.
"They learn what it means to care about each other and to be true friends…a family," she said. "The seniors this year will be my original class of girls. It's going to be emotional when they graduate because of the bonds we've made."
During the summer cheer camp, Avery Kemp, Denise Simon and Abby Tucker earned All-American honors, which earned them an invite to cheer in London.
"It's been a great experience for me," Tucker said. "You truly get to lead the student body and show off you school spirit. You learn so many lessons in cheer that you can apply to your everyday life.
Ashley Hill, Aldine
ALL-AMERICAN: Aldine's Hill Enters Senior Season, Dreams of Being a Nurse
This summer, Hill traveled up to Aggieland for the UCA Cheer Camp, where she earned an All-American nod.
VYPE caught up with the four-year cheerleader who bleeds Aldine blue and white!
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VYPE: What's it like being an All-American cheerleader?
HILL: It feels good. It takes confidence, smiling and lots and lots of practice. I have a lot of support from my coach and my other teammates.
VYPE: What was the experience like to go to the UCA camp at Texas A&M?
HILL: It was good. We're a small team, so it felt a little weird, but it was fun at the end.
VYPE: How much fun is it being a cheerleader?
HILL: It's a lot of fun. It gets hard at times, but you just must push through it. I enjoy the games, I'm very into them, and interacting with other teams.
VYPE: What would you tell an incoming freshman about cheerleading at Aldine High?
HILL: I would tell them to join. Take a risk. It's a lot of fun, you have a lot of support from everybody – the coach and your teammates.
VYPE: What do you like to do outside of cheerleading?
HILL: I like to draw a lot.
VYPE: What does the future hold for you?
HILL: I want to be a registered nurse in the future. Go to Texas A&M and get my Bachelor's degree. I want to be a nurse because I love helping people. I like putting smiles on people's faces. It makes me happy.
