Girls cheer, stuck on the sidelines, providing snacks and support while the guys play. This may look like a scene out of the 1950s, but it’s the twenty-first century at Madison High School. Spirit Squad is a system set up for seniors to promote school enthusiasm, and to provide athletes with snacks at their games. However, this service mainly benefits male athletes, not their female counterparts.
“If a guy has a home game, you’re supposed to go and wear your spirit squad sweatshirt and cheer,” comments member Kayla Fennelly about Spirit Squad member’s responsibilities. Usually, though, that duty applies only to the girls, although for some, like Kayla, their partners are full participants. Adding to that, many Spirit Squad pairings include only one athlete, generally the guy.
Active during fall and spring sport seasons, Spirit Squad is omnipresent at MHS. “It’s a rite of passage for seniors, something you have to do before you graduate,” Kayla explained. “It’s still mostly one-sided, even though it’s starting to change,” she clarifies. More and more guys are starting to pull their weight in Spirit Squad; they’re starting to come to games, prepared with snacks and enthusiasm.
This small but growing trend is fostered by seniors like Kayla, who encourage their partners to be actively involved Spirit Squad members. Hopefully, this change will spread, making full participation the new normal. Little by little, this trend looks like it’s catching on. “In this senior class, guys are starting to make bags (snacks),” Kayla concludes.