This current squad of United South Central cheerleaders has been very busy practicing and cheering at the Rebels’ football games. They are, front row, left to right, Brianna Boyd, Alyssa Winkle, Hailey Chandler, Adyson Warmka. Middle row, left to right, Caitlin McQueen, Lucy Woodring, Brynlee Olson, Ellie Buendorf, Jayleigh Steckelberg, Sara Boyd, Raelynn Buendorf. Back row, left to right, Nadia Wegner, Jada Goldman, KierMarie Haney, Alleigh Seedorf.

In 2023, after a long absence, cheerleaders returned to the sidelines of United South Central School football and basketball games.

“This is our third official year of having cheerleaders again,” cheerleading coach Brandee Meyer says. “Prior to the program restarting, I believe the last year USC had an official cheer team was 2007.”

Hailey Chandler, a senior who has been a cheerleader each of the three years the revitalized program has been in existence, was one of the students who made the effort to bring cheerleading back to USC.

“When I saw cheerleaders from other schools performing at games I thought it looked like a lot of fun,” Chandler comments. “I started talking to teachers and other people and I asked, why not have our own cheerleaders?”

“We just have cheerleaders for football and boys and girls basketball,” Meyer shares. “Since we have a wrestling program with Maple River, they have the cheerleaders for that.”

There are currently 15 enthusiastic cheerleaders leading the Rebel crowd in cheers during the football games. And as you watch them perform, you can tell they are having a good time.

“That’s a big part of it,” Adyson Warmka, another senior cheerleader, says. “We get to hang out with our friends and have fun. We share a lot of laughs. It is great for team bonding.”

Senior Brianna Boyd offers another reason for becoming a cheerleader.

“I just moved here from Becker and they did not have cheerleaders at that school,” Boyd says. “Joining the squad here has given me the opportunity to meet people and make new friends.”

Alyssa Winkle, another senior on the squad, has her own unique situation to deal with when it comes to being a cheerleader.

“I’m a member of the volleyball team so I am unable to be at the cheerleading practices,” Winkle remarks. “So I have to learn the cheers from the other cheerleaders, the captains and the coach. It builds trust because I have to know they will teach me the cheers and they have to be confident that I will learn them.”

Another common theme among the senior cheerleaders interviewed for this article was their belief in, and admiration for, their coach.

“She is one of the best coaches in the school,” Winkle states.

Meyer shares the program is slowly evolving.

“We are in the beginning phases of adding more stunting,” the cheerleading coach notes. “We began doing some stunting last year.”

According to Meyer, the reception from USC fans and people in the community has been very rewarding.

“We receive a great deal of positive feedback,” Meyer says. “Sometimes it comes right after the game and other times I hear positive comments when I am out shopping.”

The girls themselves have many positive things to share about their experiences of being a cheerleader.

“It helps build confidence,” Chandler comments. “You learn to feel comfortable being in front of your peers. It is also less stressful than other sports. You can be more calm and have more fun.”

They would also encourage others to give cheerleading a try.

“Go for it, do it,” Winkle says.

“Don’t let other people’s opinions keep you from trying,” Boyd adds. “It really is a lot of fun.”