Look at the picture on your right. Be honest with yourself, what do you see? Do you see the stereotypical pom-pom high school girl: the superficial, dim-witted, talentless female that’s always projected on television and the “big screen?” Or are
Look at the picture on your right.
Be honest with yourself, what do you see?
Do you see the stereotypical pom-pom high school girl: the superficial, dim-witted, talentless female that’s always projected on television and the “big screen?”
Or are you one of the few that have a half a brain and know who this girl really is?
If there is anything negative I can say about cheerleaders, particularly the ones who live on this island, the words under-appreciated, understated, and overworked come to mind.
They are the hardest working athletes on this island. And before any of you naysayers spit up too much of your morning coffee, let me tell you why.
No one can deny that the football player has it rough. He has to endure heat ravaged preseasons and three months full of hard-hitting gridiron action. These boys bust their butts for island fans, and they prove with their talent they have done a heck of a job.
Our Volleyball boys and girls are also hard working athletes. Two games a week, constant training, both during and in the off-season. Like football, they are tough, and Kauai volleyball literally soars in terms of national talent (trust me, it really does).
This is also true, of course, for cross country, track, soccer, swimming and surfing. Kids in sports have to balance school and extra-curricular activities. They take on responsibilities in their average day that even adults wouldn’t be able to endure.
But the cheerleader takes it to the next level.
First, they have the longest season of any island sport. It has to be at least 10 months long. They show up before school begins to condition and work on their routines, and when it comes to game-time, these kids are everywhere. In the fall, you will see them at the football games, the volleyball matches, and an occasional cross country meet. During winter, they will be at the soccer, softball and basketball games. And in the spring, they will be cheering on baseball and track.
Note: cheerleaders from two metropolitan areas of San Francisco and New York only attend football and basketball games. They will show up to other events at times, but not as consistently as island girls. Another big difference from big city mainland is that Kaua’i cheerleaders show up to EVERY game.
If you go to volleyball game-day, you will know what I mean. They are there to cheer on the J.V. girls, the J.V. boys, the Varsity girls and the Varsity boys. And they ain’t just sitting there. They are constantly up, doing their routines, cheering on their classmates and pulling off showy, artful, and in sync dance ensembles.
They really are quite remarkable.
They get no trophies or applause. In fact, half of the time they are working to get the fan up to cheer on island athletes on Kaua’i’s field and courts.
With their presence, all sports are intensified.
Next time you walk towards the gym during one of the KIF volleyball games, listen closely. Who do you hear rocking that gymnasium? It’s those cheerleaders, of course.
Sounds more like a coliseum, doesn’t it?
Their presence makes these games memorable. Like I said before, cheering is an athlete’s stimulant. Give an athlete a ball and watch him lay it up. Give him a cheer and watch him slam it down.
These girls are always there to support our youth. And I would like to thank them in this column for their hard work and effort.
Maybe the next time you will see one of these girls cheering on your daughters and sons, maybe you should thank them, too.
They deserve it.
When I look up at the picture above (congrats to the Kekaha cheerleaders for making it to Florida), I see a bright young lady who represents everything an athlete should be: hard-working, dedicated, and humble.
Keep it up, girls. We hear you. And deep down everyone knows we have learned something from you.
