You have definitely seen the HSMSE dance and cheer teams performing at C days, the Winter Recital, and sports games. But what is it actually like to be on these teams? I went to a cheer and dance elective period at Jacob H. Schiff Field on 138th Street to see how they practice and interview members of each team. According to Madeline Johnson (’26), a member of the HSMSE cheer and dance teams, “We [usually] meet in the NAC, and cheer and dance [are] in alternate rooms. There are days when one team learns [routines] and one team practices, and then it switches. Students who are in both teams go to all of the learning days, and just don’t get the extra practice that those who are in only one get.”
When I arrived, the dance team was going over formations and then rehearsing with their song. The dance team was practicing a dance to “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé. The cheer team was preparing to go on after the dance team. As I watched the two teams practice, they went over counting and steps. Watching them perform made me realize just how much work goes into each performance. The timing, choreography, and formations all have to be perfect for the overall routine to work.
As the dance team was practicing, I interviewed members of the cheer team to ask about their favorite parts. According to Gaetane Pasquer (’26), “I like the community we formed,” she also stated that all the hard work “feels very rewarding.” Evelyn Hernandez (’26) also stated that cheer is a “very good form of exercise.” Sarana Shafter (’28) added that the team “makes high school seem more normal” and “creates a lot more team spirit” at our school. We go to a school that is very far from a “usual” high school experience: We are very centered around STEM and not as much sports, and these two teams are helping to generate more spirit.
When asked why she joined the dance team, Evelyn said, “I’d never cheered before but I had done dance. I thought that it looked really fun, and it was. I also wanted more activities to do at this school that’s mostly academic.” Madeline said, “I saw them [in my] freshman year, and I thought that it looked very exciting and mesmerizing. [I] talked to Ms. Downey and then joined when I was a sophomore. I joined cheer because I saw them at the winter recital and thought it looked like the type of dance and music I was used to.” The dance team does a range of dance styles, but most of their dances involve hip-hop, which contrasts with tap and jazz, which she is used to doing. She also told me that, before COVID-19, the dance team used to be called “Organized Chaos” and would compete in dance competitions. The team is hoping to compete again in the future if there is enough interest.
These two teams work extremely hard and perform at numerous school events and at basketball and softball games. Watching both of these teams was very inspiring, and we can learn a lot from them. They are very vital to team spirit and very dedicated to practicing routines and improving our school experience. Additionally, being on these teams takes a lot of work, much of which goes underappreciated. The teams will be performing on the first day of school, so make sure to watch the performance and show your support! And now, the next time you watch these teams perform, you will be able to truly appreciate just how much hard work is behind each performance.
For anyone interested in joining either of these teams, please speak to Ms. Downey.
