With all of Marian's state titles and metro wins, one banner Marian does lack is one for the cheerleading or dance team. With volleyball season over and basketball just beginning, cheerleaders and dance team did have a chance to show just what they can do competitively against other schools in mid-November. J.V. and Varsity cheerleaders performed at Omaha's biggest competition, Metros, on Nov. 6 at Millard West. The squads had to perform a cheer, chant, and a dance. Neither squad placed, but they were the first cheerleaders ever at Marian to hire an actual choreographer and have an experienced coach. Making this change for the cheerleaders may give them a chance in future years against the best schools in Omaha. Marain Spirit Squads Receive an Award in Spirit
by Pam Sampson
Varsity cheerleader, junior Emily Adams said, "I actually think we have a good chance next year [at competition] if we can pull it all together and start working earlier." Both cheerleading squads did win an award for a squad average of a 3.4 G.P.A. or higher.
Although the teams only won an academic award, competing was a good experience. Junior J.V. cheerleader Katryna Dippel said, "We actually worked this year, and our squads are closer."
The dance team performed at a smaller competition at Ralston on Nov. 14. The dance team performed a 2-minute dance. They also did not place against competitive Omaha high schools. Sophomore dance team member Jaycie Madison said, "I thought we had a really good chance at third place and if we practiced as much as Millard West we definitely would have a shot at first."
Dance team members are not upset with their loss. They actually had a lot of fun. Senior dance team member Hillary Detter said, "We are in it for dance, to dance, and to make people want to dance with us, not solely for competition."
Madison agrees with this attitude too, "It's not tradition at Marian to be competitive in dance team. It's more tradition to be united and have fun," she said. Spirit squads put in huge amounts of time and effort for these competitions, and even if they didn't win medals or ribbons for their performances they come out with some lifetime memories and experiences.
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