The Flora FHS cheerleading tryouts were held on April 11th after at least two mandatory open gyms.

“The athletes learned one floor cheer, one sideline cheer, one crowd involvement, and dance. Time was given to practice jumps and tumbling,” Felicia Fopay, the basketball and competitive cheerleading coach, shared. 

Participants were given the choice between 3 different teams: football, basketball, and competitive. To be a part of the state-winning competition team, you are required to also be a part of the basketball cheer team.

On the day of tryouts, candidates learned an additional sideline cheer before executing their skills in front of a panel of judges. 

“First, they performed all the material they learned at clinics,” Fopay said, addressing the mandatory attendance at the clinics. 

“Next, they completed a series of jumps, tumbling passes, and their own floor cheer,” Fopay continued. 

Following tryouts, FHS has 12 football cheerleaders, 16 basketball cheerleaders, and 10 competitive cheerleaders.

“I’m excited for the upcoming season. As a team, we plan on getting stronger physically and mentally. Competitively, the team is working to place at the Vandalia Tournament and ICCA Game Day Championship,” Fopay shared, stating her goals for next year. 

The squads will practice and host a cheer camp for elementary students this summer.