Hastings High School’s cheerleaders are taking on more than halftime routines this year, adding pep rally planning, school events and kids camps to their responsibilities, according to head cheer coach Kennedy Howard.
The team’s responsibilities at games include leading chants, performing halftime routines, interacting with the student section and making run throught banners.
“I want our team to be involved in the school as a whole, not just show up for a game and cheer from the sidelines,” Howard said.
The team participates in football games, volleyball games, some wrestling matches and homecoming activities.
Howard said kids camps give younger students opportunities to learn about cheer and work with team members.
Cheerleaders practice three times a week before school. Practices include reviewing cheer, chants, stunts and dances, along with planning upcoming events. Howard said larger events require additional preparation outside regular practice.
Cheer and stunt captain Brynn Lemke said she helps keep teammates on task, reviews skills before games and encourages them during practices. She also creates stunts and stunt variations.
“The team definitely has the responsibility of bringing up that school spirit,” Lemke said.
Lemke said the team is adding new traditions while continuing existing ones. At the time of her interview, cheerleaders were planning a senior night banner featuring the names of football, dance and cheer seniors.
Sophomore Khloe Peterson said finding enough time to prepare can be challenging. Before events, she stretches and reviews any routine the team will perform.
“You put a lot more work into it than people think,” Peterson said.
Kimberly Rodela, a main base who helps lift teammates during stunts, said the physical work can be tiring. She hopes the team’s involvement will encourage more students to attend games and participate in student sections.
“We participate in all of them and then try to include people to join in and participate,” Rodella said.
Howard said balancing cheer with schoolwork, jobs, family commitments and other activities is the biggest challenge associated with the additional responsibilities.
The team is also preparing for the 2027 Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Championships in February.
Howard said the team’s responsibilities help members develop communication, teamwork and time-management skills.
“Most importantly, they’re learning how to be leaders while still being part of a team,” Howard said.
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