by Trina Walker

The Thomas Fay Custer High School cheer squad is passionate about their sport. First year cheer coach, Dawn Davis, expects her team to be proud representatives of the school, good students in the classroom and bring a fun, positive energy to games and pep assemblies. 

“The most rewarding part is seeing the little girls’ faces light up when they see one of our cheerleaders. We are a small school with pre-K through 12 in one building. Seeing all of the smiles and waves and hugs our cheerleaders get from the younger students when they pass them in the hall, then to see them at a game is my favorite part!

“While cheer is a lot of fun, it is also very challenging, both physically and mentally. I love getting to watch the progression of a new stunt. It usually starts with self-doubt about whether or not the group is even capable. Then it progresses into a stunt that sticks,” said Coach Davis.

Trust and respect make a solid cheer squad. “Stunts can’t go up and routines won’t come together if there is a lack of trust. It’s hard to trust someone you don’t respect. Sometimes it takes longer to get there, and sometimes we have to rebuild,” said Coach Davis.

The hardest part about being a cheerleader, she says, is learning and retaining the material. “They learn new routines for each halftime performance of home games, routines for pep assemblies, band dances and different cheers and chants depending on if they are cheering for football or basketball.” 

This year, TFCHS participated in the K101 Classic Bowl in Woodward. The squad learned a halftime routine and performed with 200 other cheerleaders and marched in the parade.

The 12-member squad represents TFCHS proudly with girls participating in many other school activities and organizations. They participate in spirit week dress-up days, many are multi-sport athletes, student council members, BPA members, FFA members and officers and FCA members.