Riverton cheerleaders serve their school and community

Today’s cheerleaders are much more than pretty faces jumping around yelling strange rhymes at the crowd. Nowhere is this more evident than at Riverton High School. Since early September, 26 girls and two coaches have been working hard, giving service and spirit to the student body and surrounding community.

“On top of all the required cheer stuff, these girls are a competition team and are required to fulfill one service project per quarter,” said Stephanie Hansen, Riverton High cheer coach.

Hansen is in her fifth year working with the team and first year as head coach. Stephanie Humenik is assistant coach and in her first year helping the squad.

“Dedication from the girls and coaches has helped us come together as a team,” Hansen said.

The team has many different projects going this year. They volunteered at the children’s autism walk in October by passing out lunches and cheering for the participants. They also helped the football team in a recent visit to the Kauri Sue Hamilton School. Cheerleaders are involved in Silverwolf Pride Day at the school, a day of cleaning and picking up trash. For Silver Rush, they made fleece blankets to deliver to the Christmas Box House and helped with various other fund raising events.

This year, Riverton cheer will compete in the medium-intermediate division during its competition season. Divisions are arranged by the size of the cheer squad and level of the team. The competition team is made up of 14 girls this year.

Cheerleading is a mix of dance, stunting and cheering. Riverton's squad began the competition season Dec. 3 at Cottonwood High School, where they finished in fifth place. The team is also scheduled to compete at Timpview High School Jan. 7 and 14, Bingham High School Feb. 4 and at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. March 30-April 1.

Varsity team captains are Hailee Johnson and Haylee Bills. Junior varsity captains are Kalie Glenn and Stephanie Denos.

“This year the girls have been very involved in the school, and the main focus has been bringing the student body together to support each other,” Hansen said.

The team’s motto includes staying positive, supportive and challenging themselves and others to work through struggles. The service and spirit activities they participate in keep them on track.