Cheerleaders fly through the air, performing stunts left and right with all eyes focused on them. Guiding them through each routine and making sure the choreography is perfect are head coach Neva Taylor and assistant coach Kendall Murray.

Both Taylor and Murray grew up cheerleading and Murray coached before coming to the high school. With their combined expertise in cheerleading and coaching, they have started to develop the team, working towards building a stronger sense of teamwork, accountability and spirit.

Senior and captain Jaelyn Onuoha, who has been on the team since her junior year, said Taylor and Murray’s enthusiasm greatly impacts the team.

“The way they carry themselves, talk to the team and interact with the team really makes a difference. From the beginning, they both came in with great energy, just ready to hit the ground running,” Onuoha said.

Taylor said accountability is important, and she has a new system to keep the team organized and supported.

“Accountability is really big to me; just making sure that people are on time and we know where everyone is. We have a system called ‘Pods’ which means that within the team, everyone’s in a group of four or five. You’re supposed to be able to tell your pod if you’re running late or you’re with a teacher,” Taylor said. “Not everything has to go through me, but there are other people who are also taking charge.”

Taylor’s role as a 9th and 11th-grade English teacher also plays a unique role in her connection with the team. She said she tries to support her cheerleaders in their academic and personal lives, reaching beyond solely sport-centered relationships.

“I want to help my senior cheerleaders with their senior essays because I’m an English teacher, which has nothing to do with cheerleading,” Taylor said.

There are many of these complex elements to being a cheerleader, and Murray said stunting can be one of them, but that it’s where the team learns to persevere.

“Stunting can be really mentally draining when it just doesn’t work and you’re doing it over and over and over. We’ll encourage them to get a break, but we’re always having them try
it again; never we’ll just move on, give up.” Murray said.

Onuoha said it has been nice to have Taylor and Murray guide her and the other captains in leading the team.

“They’re always there for each and every one of us, constantly checking in with us, making sure we’re okay, seeing how we can support the team, which is really nice,” Onuoha said.

Murray said it has been rewarding to see the program develop.

“Starting to revamp the program from what it was has been really exciting. The kids really enjoy what we’re doing, and they know that they’re getting better each practice, which I know is what they have been wanting in this program,” Murray said.

Beyond performance, both coaches are focused on enhancing the school’s overall sense of spirit. Taylor mentioned the importance of promoting school spirit and making games an exciting experience for everyone.

“Keeping the energy high, making sure that football games are fun, and hopefully getting better numbers at games will be super exciting,” Taylor said.

Onuoha said she believes the coaches’ positive but serious attitudes have helped create a motivational and enjoyable environment.

“They’re the type of people that you want to surround yourself with and be around,” Onuoha said. “They’re so positive, but also take things seriously and help lift the team up.”