By Emily Carroll – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law cheerleading team is asking for support to help raise money for future competitions.

On September 29, at Texas Roadhouse, money will for music and new signs. Guests who bring the flyer will donate ten percent of their check to the team.

Other fundraisers, including a Yankee Candle sale, will be held to raise money.

“We come up with fundraising ideas as a group, like if someone has a good idea we’ll try it,” senior captain Darby Hudd said.

The girls have already started choreography and went away to a two day camp this summer to start preparing.

“I really want our team to place first at NECA again because we’ve won first for the past two years,” Hudd said.

States and NECA are the cheerleaders’ two biggest competitions. NECA is the New England Cheer Association which hosts the All-Star Classic cheerleading championship which the cheerleaders will start training for in February.

If they place first, second, or third they will go into the U.S. finals.

With 20 new girls on the team, the captains have been getting together to help the team become one.

“We help them when they need it,” senior captain Maggie Williams said. “We try to create a family atmosphere because that’s what our team becomes.”

Juniors on the team that have been there since their freshman year are ready to show the new cheerleaders and everyone else how successful they can be.

“I want to take the time to talk to the new girls,” junior Monica Lomme said.

The juniors are also excited for the season and are doing what they can to prepare to become captain.

“I want to improve on my tumbling and stunting skills,” junior Courtney Tanski said. “Another thing I want to achieve is improving my leadership skills this year because my ultimate goal is to show my coach and team that I want to be captain next year.”

The cheerleading coaches both agree that the team works well together and that they are a great group of athletes.

“If at each practice, game, and competition they know they have done all they can do than it’s a successful season,” assistant coach Miss Williston said.

The cheerleaders are always being challenged, whether it’s trying to get fit or trying to perfect one of their routines.

“I know they are going to hit solid, clean routines in competition this season,” head coach Mrs. Etense said.