Cheerleaders and motivation go hand in hand as they energize the team and the fans. The cheerleaders at Snyder High School are themselves motivated knowing they are role models to the young, future Cyclones looking up to them.

“The girls love seeing all the little Cyclones run around cheering in their uniforms at football games. They were all that little girl at one point, which is a great reminder of how far they have come,” says cheer coach, Sydnee Collins.

At sporting events the focus is on the game being played. In the competitive world of cheer, the cheerleaders are the focus. The SHS cheerleaders joined the OSSAA Game Day competition for the first time last season receiving the 2A Game Day Distinguished Academic Achievement Award.

Collins says her team had a “blast” creating the routine. They look forward to competing again but she says competition hasn’t changed who they are or what they represent. “We practice about 30 minutes more each week leading up to competition but other than that we’re still just a small town cheer squad.”

Community outreach is an important part of the cheer team. Spirit sales are held at several downtown businesses every Friday during football season. Little Cyclone cheer camps held during football and basketball season teach future cheerleaders a cheer, chant and dance to be performed during a high school game.

This year four SHN cheerleaders were named UCA All-Americans at summer cheer camp. Taylor Barnes, Rylee Granger, Hannah Harmon and Kaitlynn Breeze will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, to perform in the 82nd Annual Pearl Harbor Parade.

Collins is proud of these accomplishments. However, she is most proud seeing them bond as a team. “I know it sounds cheesy, but our friendships are the most rewarding part of being on the Cyclone cheer team. The squad I have this year is a fantastic group of young ladies who do anything for one another. They are honestly the best group of girls I could ask for!”