Bellevue Cheerleading is more than just Friday night lights and supporting the football team. While we take pride in bringing energy to the sidelines, our role goes far beyond that. What many don’t see are the countless hours of training, the dedication, and the precision it takes to perfect not just one, but two high-level routines. Beyond the sidelines, we train to compete against some of the best teams in the state and across the country, pushing ourselves to perform at our absolute best.

 

From early August all the way until February, Bellevue Cheer balances learning two different routines with training for the sideline as well. At Bellevue, we don’t just compete one routine - we take on two. Crowdleader is all about energy, sharp motions, and engaging the audience, just like we do on the sidelines but with even more intensity. With poms, signs, and megaphones in hand, we focus on leading the crowd while executing stunts and motions with precision. Judges look for confidence, synchronization, and how well we bring our Wolverine spirit to the mat. Then there’s Traditional: the routine that pushes us to our limits. This is where we bring out our hardest stunts, tumbling, and jumps in a fast-paced performance that requires near-perfect execution. Unlike Crowdleader, where interacting with the audience is key, Traditional is all about skill, synchronization, and technique.

 

Balancing both aspects of cheer is no easy task. Practices are long and physically demanding, requiring hours of repetition to ensure every motion is sharp and every stunt is solid. One of the best things about Bellevue Cheer is how we can turn these tough practices into fun memories with our teammates. Sometimes, after long school days, it can be mentally and physically exhausting to push through, but we always find ways to lift each other up. "I stayed motivated thinking about what we could accomplish or win if we put our all into practices," said Jaida Babineaux. "The team was also always uplifting - we made practices fun."  It’s that support and shared determination that keep us going. No matter how challenging the training gets, we know we’re in it together, pushing each other to be better every day.

 

After putting our absolute all into many in-state competitions, it was finally time for Nationals. For us, Nationals is so much more than just a competition, it's lifelong memories we make with our team and best friends. "My favorite part of Nationals was getting ready with my teammates—laughing, sharing stories, and just having a good time," said Emiko Young. The little things, like doing each other’s hair and makeup or sharing last minute words of encouragement, made the experience even more special. Most of our best memories were made off the mat. Those nights at the hotel, filled with endless laughter and inside jokes, were just as meaningful as the moments we shared on stage.

 

Competing at Nationals is a mix of adrenaline, excitement, and pressure. After months of preparation, stepping onto the mat is the moment everything comes together. It was our last chance to show the world what we had put our absolute all into. While some of us felt the nerves, others were completely locked in. "I wasn't nervous at all because I felt like I knew the routine very well," said Grace O’Neill. "I was just hoping others wouldn't let the nerves take over." In that moment, all we could do was trust our practice, rely on each other, and give it everything we had.

 

After taking the floor a cumulative total of five times over the competition, our efforts paid off. Every performance was a reflection of our hard work, resilience, and the countless hours spent perfecting our routines. The adrenaline, the cheering crowds, and the feeling of hitting our routines made every second on that mat worth it. While we were proud to bring home three trophies for our school and community, the true reward wasn’t just in the placements, it was in the experience itself. The bonds we formed and the memories we made throughout this journey are what will stay with us long after the season ends. Nationals reminded us why we do what we do. It’s not just about competing, it’s about pushing ourselves, supporting each other, and creating moments that will last a lifetime. No trophy can replace the friendships we’ve built or the pride we felt representing Bellevue on the national stage.

Tryouts for the Bellevue cheer team are coming up in April. If you're interested or know anyone who might be, please visit Bellevuecheer.com for more information.