Winter is one of the busiest times of the year for the cheerleaders. Normally winter marks the beginning of their competitive season. This year they have done remarkably; both JV and Varsity made their way to the OIA Cheer Championships.

Besides being in gear for competition, the cheerleaders also begin learning basketball cheers to pump up the crowd at both the boys and girls basketball games as they start their season.

Bayley Michaud (12) said, “Being in both comp and sideline I have to keep up my grades. The weekly grade checks we have require me to step up my game more.”

This is Michaud’s first year at McKinley. She is new to the cheerleading team and said, “Cheerleading is definitely a challenge, especially when you spend more time at practice than at home.”

The love and passion for a yearlong sport encouraged the cheerleaders to go all the way.

Their team motto is “THIS IS OUR YEAR.”