Whether it is on blue mat or a hardwood floor, the gym building fills with stress from the team, coach, parents and fans awaiting the outcome of their routine. All of the team’s hard work and dedication relies on a performance that lasts less than five minutes. The girls that are seen on the side lines cheering or during halftime performing are much more than what meets the eye.

“Competition season is just a lot more stressful because we are actually being evaluated and competing with these routines,” said senior Sydnee Steele.

Steele is the Captain of the Silverstars and takes her role of responsibility very seriously. As a three year member of the team, she has worked very hard to be in the position she is in now. Her job differs from regular season to competition season in the severity as well as her attitude.

“When we step out on the football field we’re the Silverstars drill team but on the court we have to be four very distinct styles,” said Steele

Practice schedules as well as the mood of the team is different during this competitive season. Cheer and dance both travel to many different schools to compete in their competitions.

“We usually go to five including state,” said junior cheerleader Keatley Covington, “We practice a lot and we are constantly repeating things to make sure we get them just right”.

The stress is put into a well thought out and choreographed cheer, dance, and stunt sequence that is judged by a group of individuals.

“Our choreographer comes the first day [of summer practices] and kind of works with us to see what skills we have and comes back the next with our routine made up and puts it all together,” said senior cheerleader Emily Watson.

The cheer team has two a days throughout the summer to put their routine in place. The choreographer creates all the motions and soundtracks and then teaches each part of the dance, tumbling, cheer, and stunt sequence.

“Usually the weekend before our first competition he comes back to see the progress we’ve made and makes sure it is competition ready, it is a long process,” said Watson