Growth of Cheer Program Builds School Spirit and Community

Members of the 2025 Fall Cheer Team supported the football team on Pink Out Night. The girls trained all summer and helped plan themes for the games. They also led the crowd in cheers during the game on October 17. Photo credit: Panthra Gardineer (12)

Over the past few years, the Kodiak cheer team has experienced significant growth—not only in numbers, but also in stunts, cheers, and community outreach. After low participation numbers in 2022, the program has grown steadily and continues to expand. 

In June 2024, the cheer team had 12 members. Today, the team has grown to 18 members. This growth coincides with the leadership of Jennifer Crossley, the current Kodiak cheer coach, who has been coaching for a year and a half after volunteering with the program for a year prior. Since taking over, Crossley has focused on strengthening and expanding the cheer program at multiple levels. 

“Last year, we had five seniors leave the team, so returning cheerleaders focused on recruiting new members. Students can see that cheering is fun and exciting, which leads to interest. The team has worked hard learning new material and fun dances since June 2024. The focus of the past couple of years has been improving crowd-involvement cheers and the overall attendee experience,” Crossley said. 

Returning cheerleaders have played a key role in recruiting new members and helping sustain the program’s momentum. “I joined because I wanted to be a part of our school spirit,” said Xareny Guzman Perez (11), a member of the cheer team. “As a Running Start student, it’s important for me to stay connected to a sport that brings school spirit.” 

“I think it’s important because it brings school spirit and community to CHS and the people of Leavenworth,” said Lillian Renner-Singer.

The team has also emphasized involving the broader student body by teaching the CHS fight song and school cheers. “I think it’s important because it brings school spirit and community to CHS and the people of Leavenworth,” said Lillian Renner-Singer (10), a returning cheerleader. “It makes people happy and smile.” 

“It brings people together—not just as a team, but from all around Leavenworth,” added cheer team member Sonia Martinez (11). 

Community outreach remains a core focus of the cheer program, and as the team has grown, so has its impact. “Since August 11, the team has put in 417 hours planning, volunteering, practicing, performing at games, and making appearances,” Crossley said.

“We hold mini cheer camps for youth in our district, sponsor an annual Christmas party with the Learning Strategies class, support Operation Gratitude, and participate in pep assemblies and athletic assemblies. We also perform at District Kick-Off Day in August, the May Day Parade, the Autumn Leaf Parade, and visit Mountain Meadows.” 

In addition to outreach, the team has expanded its skills in cheers, chants, stunts, and performance groups. “I would say it’s an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and impact school spirit,” Crossley said. “Our team is made up of all skill levels, so you don’t need much experience to join.”