The cheerleading team here at Bothell has some of the most hardworking leaders at our school; their work goes above and beyond their volunteer work and attitude around school.

First of all, cheer practices at our school for at least three hours for three days a week. This is not unusual for a sport, but they are also encouraged to attend tumbling practices in Woodinville on Wednesdays; (it is not required, but any cheerleader who wants to compete on the tumbling team for competitions must attend the extra practices). Also, keep in mind that cheer is an all-year sport, including summer. While cheering for our basketball and football teams, they have their own competitions from late fall to the state competition in February.

Second, it is no secret that there is a lot of money that goes into to being a cheerleader. They pay for their own uniforms, as well as multiple fees and deposits for the school. Transportation, fees to compete, and fees for their summer camp are all things they have to fundraise for, with help from coaches. The school has arranged for rooter buses to travel the girls in the past, and they pay for half the camp fees; however, fundraising is another large part of cheer that is often overlooked. According to a parent of one of the cheerleaders, the team does fundraisers throughout the year with cookie dough sales, flower baskets, car washes, etc.

Beyond that, the team also does their own competitions through November leading up to the state competition that take place in February this year. According to Coach Andy Gault, they’ve won first place at the last two competitions this year. Each week of competitions they perform a routine called “Game Day,” which involves all 29 girls on both the varsity and junior varsity teams. Although, no matter their placing, they practice and change the routine throughout a week’s worth of practices (which change from three times a week to four during competition season).

They also hosted their own competition for the first time, The Spirit of Northshore. Gault says that because they were given their date (November 2, 2018), they had a quick deadline and began planning in late August. However, because the football team ended up in the playoffs, they competed the same day and the varsity cheerleading team accompanied them to Camas while the parents and jv team ran the event at North Creek High School. Gault praises the team’s hard work and says, “These kids are amazing, and the fact that they can keep up the schedule and just be such good kids and keep up this commitment… it’s an honor to work with them.”

Girls, you have done more than enough to represent our school with your hard work and passion. Bothell students, make sure to direct some of your cheers to the cheerleaders!