The Woodlan Cheer Squad has been working hard this year, practicing 5 days a week to get ready for state in the upcoming three weeks. It has not been an easy path either! It’s taken a lot of passion, strength, commitment, and drive.
Competition has taken a lot of time and practice this season but it’s all paid off! Woodlan started their competition season at Indiana University’s Cheer Camp; They learned new skills and a routine they had to perform against other participating squads. They won first against ten other schools. The Woodlan Cheerleaders have won first in the Coed category at every competition this season so far, including Purdue’s Get On Track Cheer Competition. The cheer squad includes Savannah Funk, Madison Swanson, Kira Tucker, Breanna Bestul, Thet Naing Soe, Olivia Funk, Baili Melcher, Taylor Coronado, and Malori Reed.
The individual stunt group has also been hard at work. They placed third out of five schools at camp. After that, they pushed themselves to win first at Purdue’s Get On Track Cheer Competition and qualifying as one of five stunt groups to compete at state this year. The individual stunt group includes Kira Tucker, Baili Melcher, Savannah Funk, Olivia Funk, and Madison Swanson.
Coach Julie Lebamoff has been pushing her squad this season and tries not to teach them just the aspects of cheer, but also important life lessons. She says she wants her cheerleaders to give back to others and to always have a cheerful heart. Julie also coaches with Coach Kimberlyn Graber and Choreographer Kaylee Hubbard, both former cheerleaders at Woodlan. She is also helped out by the squad’s manager Alex Lebamoff, Julie’s son and the cheer squad’s #1 fan.
Regionals and state are the first two weekends in November. Woodlan has come close to the first place title year after year. Last year, they placed 3rd at state. They are hoping that working this hard will finally pay off and bring home a win for their coaches, their classmates, and for the city of Woodburn. Because let’s face it, this is the year for the WHS!
