Cheerleaders make up core of spirit on college campuses. They are the high-spirited individuals that devote hours a day putting their health at risk all to lead the school teams to victory during athletic events and to create a sense of pride among students, faculty and the community. The Nicholls cheerleading squad is comprised of 13 young women and men, along with the mascot who have all become well known on campus.
One of the main objectives of the squad this year was to present to the public a squad with more spirit and talent than ever. The group has managed to do just that.
“This years squad is a much more talented squad,” said cheerleading coach LaToya Bailey who also serves as student life coordinator on campus. “They cheer alot more than before, they’re alot more disciplined, the stunts they do are more elite and they are defiantly a more spirited group.”
This years squad consists of only six returning members and seven new members which makes the squad a young group. This is the first time in many years that Nicholls has seen a size increase in the squad.
Members of the squad include captain Christian Joseph, a second year member from Thibodaux, Bridget Boudreaux, a third year member from Houma, Leslie Chiasson, a second year member from Houma, Shelly McCaskill, a first year member from Houma, Andrea Knight, a first year member from Thibodaux, Halli Markins, a first year member from Plaquemine, Kristie Matherne, a first year member from Houma, Jack Hart, men’s captain who is a third year member from Marrero, Tommy St. Pierre, a second year member from Laplace, Matthew Shelly, a second year member from Houma, Earl Dautrieve, a first year member from Chalmette, Aaron Wilson, a first year member from Harvey and Matt Elender, a first year member from Houma.
“We are now one of the biggest squads in the history of cheerleading at Nicholls,” said Bailey. “Because of this, it is now more expensive to run the program. We couldn’t afford to attend camp this summer which was a big upset, but we did get new uniforms which was much needed.”
With a new look and a different attitude, the squad plans on attending competitions during the spring. The squad is currently planning on competing at the United Spirit Association competition on February 10-11 in Las Vegas, NV and another in New Orleans the following week.
They also have plans to get involved more with the community and area high school and junior high squads. The spirit of the group is enabling them to do just that.
“We are trying to increase the amount community service that we do,” Bailey said. “We are going to try and make ourselves available to judge tryouts, put on clinics [as we have already started to do] and attend other events that involve interaction with the community.”
Because of the expenses of the program, the cheerleading squad will be proposing a small increase in student assessment fees to provide the school with better pep-rallies and to recruit new members to keep the source of school pride alive. The squad will be asking students to fill out surveys after the Thanksgiving holiday which will give them a view on how students feel on the issue. The squad will also be selling cookie dough in the Union during the next few weeks to try and raise money for their competition expenses. The three pound tubs will sell for ten dollars. Support your cheerleaders.
