By Madilyn Moore
Contributing Writer
Yukon High School Pom and Cheer hosted the winter spirit clinic Jan. 6 before members performed alongside their young apprentices during halftime of the Jan. 7 girls’ varsity basketball game.
One spirit clinic is held in the fall for football and one clinic is held in the winter for basketball. Both are available for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
YHS teacher Tiffiany Webb, the varsity cheer sponsor for the past five years, helps organize the spirit clinics alongside the other cheer and pom coaches. Some 185 students attended.
“Kids come and learn the chants and learn the dance,” Webb said. “We talk about what is going to happen and they get a little shirt and a little prize. Tuesday was when they performed at halftime of the girls’ basketball game.”
The YHS pom girls picked a ‘70s music theme and the little girls dressed in blue shirts with snowflakes for the performance.
All activities were held in the main gym and were taught by pom and cheer coaches and members.
“It’s a big fundraiser for Pom and I,” Webb said. “We host it together of course, and then whatever money we get from it we just half. So, not only do we get stuff for our teams, but it is also nice to see the little girls and to see our girls interact with them.
“Some of our girls used to be in the spirit clinic as little participants and now they are teaching them, so it’s cool to see that progression.”
TEACHING THE YOUNGER KIDS
Payton Coats, a YHS junior and varsity cheerleader, taught at the winter clinic alongside other pom and cheer members.
“I have taught clinics since my freshman year and I have always worked with pre-K since I like the little kids,” Coats said. “I want to be a teacher when I’m older, so teaching younger kids is what I want to do.”
Teaching at the clinics has also provided lessons for Coats.
“I’ve learned the most how to be patient with younger kids, knowing that they don’t understand everything that we get,” Coats said. “It doesn’t click as fast for them.”
During the one night of practice and one night of performance, Coats saw development in the children.
“They definitely learn how to interact with people a little more,” Coats said. “I feel like when they first get to the clinic, day one, they are all crazy and running around, but then they focus and really get invested in the dance.
“My favorite moment is when they finally understand the dance and can do it without watching us the whole time.”
