Photo credit: Ann Stanmore-ThurstonKatie Baity gets lifted into the air by her bases, Christa Walls, Robyn Woodall and Alexis Prebula.[/caption]
There has always been a debate between athletes on whether cheerleading is actually a sport, but, for junior Katelyn Baity, there is no debate. Cheerleading is life. When asked why cheerleading is her favorite sport, Baity replied, “Cheer helps me stay in shape and it's a lot of fun to be with the team. Everyone is crazy, but we can get stuff done.” This year will be Baity’s third year of OHS varsity cheerleading.
Baity was a dedicated cheerleader even before high school began. She participated in cheer when she attended CW Stanford Middle School, in seventh and eighth grades. Baity has also continued her cheerleading career by participating in OHS cheerleading since her freshman year. Baity made the junior varsity team when she was in ninth grade, but this was not enough for her. She practiced her routines and kicked up her workout schedule to make sure that her form was perfect, and she made the varsity team in sophomore year of high school.
When asked about how she deals with cheering through a bad game, Baity replied, “Even when we're losing a game, we have to keep up the spirit. It is hard trying to stay positive when we get behind, but you kind of have to think optimistic.” Baity also shared that she likes to get pumped up to keep her spirit alive before games. “I listen to a random shuffle of music while I get ready for a game. I usually get ready with Christa Walls, and we kind of help each other get warmed up and pumped up.”
Sports figures normally get recognition for being role models, even when they don’t want to be, but Baity has taken this as a part of the sport. When asked why she thinks she is a good role model for other students, Baity replied, “I'm a good role model for other students because I'm proud of who I am without having to do things I'll regret later in life.” She shared who her role model was when she was growing up: “I had a coach in the past that really pushed me to succeed when I was in gymnastics. Because of what she taught me, I'm able to work through pain in any sport or activity I decide to do and I can keep up my tumbling!”
Even though sports is Baity’s life, she participates in many other things as well. Baity is a dedicated leader at Ebenezer Baptist Church, and she participates in dance to keep up her fitness. “I perform at Dance Expressions and it's so much fun. I used to dance and do gymnastics from when I was four all the way up to seventh grade. It's nice being back onto a team like that! I'm a student leader at the church, so youth group is always fun! I get to talk to the younger girls and lead a small group on Sunday.”
Senior and varsity captain, Cailee Pulido, has also been doing cheer since middle school, and also has a cheer and gymnastics background. She was influenced by her friends and has “fallen in love” with the sport. She said, “As captain, I want my team to keep up spirit for the crowd, smile, be loud, and hit what they've practiced.” When asked why cheer is important to her she said, “Cheer is important to me because it’s an opportunity for the team to show our school spirit and it’s time for us as girls to come together.”
McKenzie Almers, a senior and varsity captain, stated she has also done cheer her whole life. “I started doing dance when I was two years old, and then I had friends who did competitive cheer in middle school, so I tried it out,” she said. This year, she wants her team to “cheer competitively.” “We have a great coach and all the girls have the potential.” As for cheering in college, “It depends on where I go, but I definitely want to do it.”
Varsity captain, Carey Goodwin, wants the team “to be the best that they can be.” She has done cheer all of her life and loves the sport. Goodwin plans on doing cheer in college. When people hear her name, “I want people to think of a kind and caring person.”
Sophomore and junior varsity captain, Cassie Turner, has done cheer since middle school. “Once you've found something that you love, it’s hard to stop.” As captain, “I want to make the team great, and help the girls be the best that they can.” When people think of her as JV captain, she wants them to think of a “understanding person and a leader.”
Junior varsity captain Robyn Woodall, a sophomore, wants her team “to accomplish bigger and do harder stunts.” A cheerleader since the eighth grade, she decided to do it because people told her that she smiled a lot and that her positivity would be great on the team. She continues to do cheer because “it keeps me at a medium. I’m not cocky, too happy, or too sad. I’m in the middle.”
Junior varsity cheerleader captain and freshman Josie Smith, said she wants the team to “work together and be a family.” When asked why she decided to do cheer, she stated, “It’s fun, I love it and I’m very passionate about it.” Smith also cheers competitively outside of school.
Students, parents, and grandparents attended the game to support their OHS seniors and to show their Panther pride. The senior night celebrations began at 7:00 P.M. before the game started at 7:30 P.M. The seniors lined up in front of the stands and their respective names were announced over the intercom. The 13 senior marching band members were named first, followed by the 5 senior cheerleaders. Finally, the senior football players and managers were recognized, with a total of 14 football players graduating this year. Each representative presented flowers to their parents and friends as they were escorted across the track. The game drew near and the seniors suited up to begin playing.
The first whistle blew and the game began. Within 9 minutes of the first quarter, the Panthers scored their first touchdown off of a 62
At the start of the third quarter, Southern Vance came back and scored making the game 21-6. Throughout the rest of the third and fourth quarters, Southern Vance scored once again, but the Panthers toughed it out to the end, coming back with a touchdown by Jalen Pittman. The Panthers came out with a victory at the end of the game. The final score was 33-14.
The seniors have all contributed to the Panther success and will surely be missed next year. A sophomore, Byron Stephenson said, “I'll miss their leadership.”