Jump Up and Cheer ? at the Farmington YMCA
????????????????? The Farmington YMCA is taking big steps to get involved in the community.? The YMCA is committed to developing programs that teach not only a skill, but programs that encourage healthy living, promote responsibility and provide youth the opportunity to grow and learn.
????????????????? It was early August when Jackee Horstman, Sports Coordinator at the YMCA, reached out to high schools in the Farmington area looking for a way to get her cheerleaders involved.? Harrison High School?s Gina Jackson leapt at the chance.? ?Any opportunity you have to work with a young person and make an impact on their lives is worth doing.? It wasn?t just a chance for these young girls to learn, it was a chance for my girls to learn how to be a role model and mentor.?? ??
Gina?s enthusiasm for the program opened up the door for YMCA cheer coach Summer Overton. ?It?s a fun organized sport for girls.? It isn?t just cheering, there is gymnastics too.?? Working with Harrison High School was perfect in Summer?s eyes, ?It?s a great opportunity to learn from older more experience girls, and getting the chance to really cheer is so great.?? Summer, a former high school cheerleader, wanted to bring her passion for the sport to younger cheerleaders.? ?I just love cheer, and I want the girls to love it too.?
The YMCA modified its typical program schedule and designed it to be a more long term program, this way time can be spent learning cheers, and developing creativity for their own cheers.? As a 15 week program, participants were given the opportunity to learn high school cheers, practice with Harrison?s varsity squad, watch the squad prepare for their competitive season and cheer at a varsity Football game.? ?My girls love the opportunity to work with the older girls,? said Cecilia.? Another parent Ana described the opportunity this way, ?It is challenging to have the exposure and experience, but that?s why we signed my daughter up.? She likes to do this and it?s good for her to know what it feels like.?? Other parents sign their child up for cheerleading for the relationship.? Stella said, ?These older girls are a role model for my daughter.? She?s said ?When I go to high school, I want to cheer.?? That?s exciting for me.? All of these Harrison cheerleaders have made my daughter feel like she is part of the team.?
The excitement of preparing with the varsity squad and cheering at a varsity game was evident in all of the YMCA cheerleader?s eyes.? ?Let?s go! I just want to go cheer,? exclaimed Priscena.? The YMCA cheerleaders cheered during the first half of the game.? They participated in cheers designed to fire up the crowd, entertain the fans and dazzle their parents.? The varsity girls taught them cheers and had them participate in stunts. ?I loved the stunts.? It was so cool,? agreed sisters Alana and Ella.? When asked what she liked best, Anavictoria shyly smiled, ?being with the older girls.?
The varsity girls at Harrison were not immune to the YMCA cheerleader?s excitement. Senior captain Niambi talked about position it puts them in, ?It?s been so good.? We?ve gotten to see someone at the very beginning of cheerleading, and been able to help them learn.? It was a reminder to us all what it was like to be ?new? to cheering.?? Sophomore Cairo was enthusiastic.? ?Being around the girls reminded me of myself.? I started at a young age and even remember the first cheer I was taught.? I love that we get to teach these girls ? I love to do it.? I want all of the girls to walk away saying, ?I want to be a Harrison Cheerleader.?? ??It was wonderful to see teens patiently and happily working with the younger cheerleaders.? The YMCA sports programs strive to bring fun and an opportunity to learn in every program.? Jackee Horstman sums it up this way, ?Fun, joy for life, and a passion to learn should be a part of every experience we offer our participants.? It isn?t enough to just offer a program ? there needs to be a mission behind it.??
Whether it?s learning something new, becoming a mentor or watching your child grow in front of your eyes, the YMCA is a great place to belong.
The YMCA will be continuing its relationship with Harrison High School for the upcoming 2013 winter session.? For more information contact Jackee Horstman and the Sports Department at the YMCA ? 248.306.3059 or jhorstman@ymcadetroit.org
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Source: http://farmington-mi.patch.com/announcements/jump-up-and-cheer-at-the-farmington-ymca
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