Standing on the sidelines of a football game, sophomore Cori Brown cheers for the varsity football team as they defeat Lake Ridge to advance to playoffs. Last year was Brown’s first year to try out and make varsity cheer. 

“I feel like my first year was really nerve-wracking and very scary,” Brown said. “But now that I know everybody that’s trying out is just trying to make it like me.”

Brown has been cheering since she was around five years old. She became more committed to the sport when she watched videos of college cheerleaders performing their routines. 

“I thought it would be really cool to be on that level,” Brown said. “I decided I didn’t want to do softball anymore, and I wanted to learn how to flip like them.”

After joining competitive cheer outside of school, Brown pursued it in high school. Brown cheered on the sidelines of football games and traveled to UIL competitions during the year. 

“I love football games,” Brown said. “I look forward to them and the bus ride there while listening to music.” 

Along with practices for competitions, the cheer team attends UCA camp every summer. This is where they grew closer and learned new tricks before the season started. 

“It’s the most fun thing that I look forward to all year long,” Brown said, “We have to rely on one another because we don’t have our parents with us.”

The camp motivated the team before the upcoming season. Brown brought a positive attitude to cheer practice to strengthen the other girls’ confidence and outlooks. 

“If you’re positive, then people around you will be positive as well. So once you’re in a good mood, everyone around you will be in a good mood,” Brown said. 

For Brown’s motivation, she reminds herself to stay confident in her own skills and abilities. With this mindset she helped the team place 13th out of 67 at UIL nationals.

“You have to remember that there can always be something worse and more difficult,” Brown said, “You’re in your spot for a reason and other people want your position.”