After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saint Francis cheerleaders returned to kick off the 2024 school year. Ten Tologs joined the team, participating in games under the lights.
“I have some good friends on the football team. I thought it would be really fun to be there for them and be on the sidelines cheering them on, but I think it’s also nice to live that fantasy of being a cheerleader in high school too,” Sofia (Fifi) Joyner ‘24, cheer team captain, said.
Entering the season, Eva Gezoukian was excited to play on the field, bond with friends and make connections with girls from other grades.
“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the amazing experiences I’ll have with this cheer team, as well as making long-lasting memories with girls I love,” Gezoukian said. “The highlights of my week are attending cheer practice and cheering at the games. I am so blessed to have been picked to be part of such an amazing team and a special group of girls.”
Bringing back the cheerleaders reconnected Tologs to not only their brother school but also the Saint Francis community as a whole.
“The appreciation we receive from the parents, staff and students at Saint Francis every game is so encouraging, and I love that cheer gave me the opportunity to get to know this community better,” Eva Gezoukian ‘26, a member of the cheer team, said.
In the recently concluded season, team captain Joyner extended her responsibilities beyond the field, pitching in on the sidelines to help run and prepare the girls for the games.
“My responsibilities mostly include warming the team up, but with my co-captain Lilly, we decide what hairstyle, makeup and any other game day details we want to add to our uniform, which can also depend on the theme,” Joyner said. I also send out reminders for anything discussed in practice, like important due dates or announcements, and I also give notes and corrections where I see them. I feel so comfortable leading the team and being senior captain. It’s really a lot of fun!”
Co-Captain Lilly Driscoll’ 25 worked with Joyner on the sidelines to help make the magic happen.
“If anyone has seen the cheerleaders at a St. Francis game, you have probably seen Fifi and I calling out the cheers and dance routines. It is our responsibility to make decisions for the team. We also have to make sure all of our dances and cheers are clean, loud, and sharp,” Driscoll said.
The Saint Francis cheer team coach, Ms. Megan Allen, taught the girls about leadership, responsibility and how to rally up the crowd for the games.
“Cheerleading is often highly team-oriented, but these FSHA girls make it feel more like a family. Coaching these young women is very fulfilling. I have the opportunity to work with these athletes on improving their cheer and dance skills and watching the team progress and achieve new milestones can be very gratifying. I love being able to contribute to creating an atmosphere where everyone feels proud to be part of the team,” Coach Megan said.
While creating special bonds and memories with one another, the cheer team at Saint Francis took the football games to a whole new level with their spirit this past season. With the football season now concluded, the cheerleaders will continue the lifelong friendships formed on and off the field.
“We are there for each other and every single girl cares a lot about this team—that is what makes the St. Francis team so special,” Driscoll said.
