Clatskanie cheer performs labor of love

Can you hear the heartbeat of a cheerleader? Can you feel their energy, see their smiles as they clap and shout for two and a half hours? Some people say that these cheerleaders seem effortlessly happy. Others would say that cheer clearly takes a lot of hard work, but most of these people don't know what being a cheerleader is really like. Coached by Kayleen Jones, the Clatskanie High School team consists of eight cheerleaders. It's a no-cut team, meaning everyone gets included. They stunt, rally, and most importantly, cheer on the football team.

"It's pretty fun being captain," says Isabel Gonzales. "I get to boss everyone around." Painting the run-through banner for Clatskanie's game against Stanfield last month, Cheer Captain Gonzales says her biggest goal for the cheer team is to not only teach them goals but for "those things to stay with them throughout high school."

Freshman Madisen Prahl is brand new to the cheer team this year. As a base, she lifts the flyer during stunts. "I've been wanting to do it forever," she said. "I really like stunting." Prahl says her motivation for cheerleading is multiple cans of Redbull and getting to leave school early. "My pre-game routine is making bets on whether our football team is going to win or lose," she said, smiling. "Usually, I'm right."

Another "Maddy" on the team, sohpomore Madison Coalman, said, "What I love most about cheerleading is that it feels like a family. We all support one another while also holding each other accountable." Coalman noted she encourages herself with music, naming Nickelback as one of her favorite artists.

This small but amazing team shows off the joy of working together and supporting one another, creating a strong bond that extends beyond cheerleading. With their positivity and dedication, they bring their infectious energy to the sidelines. As they cheer for their team, it's clear that they are united in their passion and love for the sport.