LU Cheerleaders for Community Service

By Italia Gregory
Rotunda ReporterGimme a L-A-N-C-E-R-S! What does that spell? LANCERS! Between practices and games, the Longwood Lancer cheerleaders have been busy at work volunteering their time to local cheerleading teams in both the Farmville area and surrounding counties. "Cheerleading is about not only being a leader at your school, but being a leader in the community as well; it also helps me to be involved with the athletics program at Longwood," said freshman member Nancy Ventura.

The Lancer cheerleaders have held clinics at Cumberland High School and the Farmville YMCA. The purpose of these instructional camps is to teach young individuals the important fundamentals of what it takes to be a role model. It is important to stress the idea that cheerleading is more than jumping up and down in a skirt. It is about unity and setting an example.

In addition to learning leadership skills, members of the Lancer squad focus on the basics of cheer, dance, jumping and tumbling skills. In the James River District, stunting is forbidden at the middle school level. Therefore, those who go on to pursue cheerleading at the high school level may lack some of the necessary skills to perform these aerial tricks safely and effectively. Longwood cheerleaders provide a safe and well-trained environment to teach and instill knowledge in these girls that may be very useful if they choose to continue cheering at the college level. The Lancers also had the honor of judging cheerleading tryouts in September 2009 at Prince Edward County High School.

The Lancer cheerleaders are making a strong attempt to make their presence widely known around campus. Surprisingly, there are many students on campus who still do not know a cheerleading team exists. Members of the squad, along with help from the athletic department, are focused on getting recognition in a positive way.

In addition to determined squad members, the Lancer cheerleaders received a new motivator for the 2009-2010 season. Longwood alumna Jessi Fleisher took the position as Head Coach of the squad. In addition to coaching at Longwood, Fleisher is also an art teacher and the coach of the cheer squad at Lunenburg Middle School. "Coaching college for the first time has been quite a learning experience for me. Having spent the last three years coaching at the middle school level, I was very excited to be able to return to my alma mater and become more involved in this sport that I love so much," said Fleisher. Although the program is doing a good job being involved on and off campus, it's still a fairly new program compared to other universities and colleges in Division I.

The Longwood Cheerleaders are set to volunteer at the annual Special Olympics, to be held on Feb. 21 in Farmville. "It's a really positive environment, and it's great to see these girls come out and cheer on those who work hard throughout the year to be at this event," said TaVaris Reavis; a member of the community who attends the Special Olympics as a spectator. The cheerleaders will be performing a short routine for the crowd, and helping with different tasks throughout the day.

Another upcoming event is a Wellness Fair that will be held at Prince Edward Elementary School on March 23. The Wellness Fair will contain a variety of activities suitable for children. Other Longwood athletes will also be in attendance to help conduct the event.

Fleisher is very excited about the direction that the program has taken over the course of the year. "I was greeted by an enthusiastic and dedicated group of young ladies. Now that we're reaching the end of our time together, I've learned what this team is truly capable of and I look forward to working with this team in future years; watching them continue to grow and excel," said Fleisher. Senior cheerleader Carley York also is saddened by the fast approaching end of the season. "When I made the decision to try out for cheerleading at Longwood, I didn't think a lot about it. I hadn't cheered since high school, and I expected it to be my last go at this sport" said York. However, York plans to return to Longwood in the fall as assistant coach of the Lancer cheerleading squad.

The cheerleaders are excited for great things in the future, and dedicated to serving Longwood University, as well as the community. You can catch the squad in action at a home basketball game or out cheering for the cause. Until then, GO LANCERS!