Well, something new, and yet something familiar.
Cheerleading is making its return to Brattleboro Union High School this year. The Colonels have not fielded a squad since the mid-1990s, when interest declined. That interest has resurged in recent years, however, thanks to a strong cheering program in the Pop Warner system.
"I've been involved with Pop Warner cheerleading for a while, and every once in awhile, I would put the bug in (Brattleboro athletic director) Chris (Sawyer's) ear that we really need something at the high school," said Kimberly Jones, the Brattleboro Pop Warner coach who will take the helm for the school's team. "We had a really great group of girls and there was nothing for them to continue on to."
Through the hard work of Jones and the other women in her coaching staff -- Rebbecca Castillo, Michelle Stines and Sarah Grasso -- Brattleboro has created enough interest to hold try-outs on Aug. 11, 12 and 13.
The first two days, which run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will consist of cheering candidates learning routines, and the actual try-out will happen on the 13th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All events are at the high school.
Jones, who originally hails from Amherst, Mass., arrived in Brattleboro in 1998, after the school's cheerleading team had
"All I know is that when I started with Pop Warner in 1998, there was nothing at the high school. I thought that was weird, because I grew up cheering in high school and into college," she said. "We had consistently asked why there wasn't anything at the high school and we had heard rumors but I didn't have any idea."
According to Sawyer, the interest for a team hadn't been consistently there until Jones and the rest of her staff began building foundations in Pop Warner.
"There just wasn't enough interest, but in a couple years, the Pop Warner program's kids will be entering high school," he said. "We're trying to build a good program for them to come into. If it's going to work, this is probably the time to see."
While the team will cheer at football games in the fall season and basketball games in the winter, Jones is quick to point out that it will be a competitive squad, participating in the Vermont Principals' Association's winter competitions.
"It's going to be a lot of fun. You dance and cheer and tumble," she said. "It's definitely a sport, no matter what anybody wants to say."
Although the team's leaders have high expectations for the squad's future, Jones is also realistic about the difficulty in starting a new team.
"I would love at least 12 or more. We can have a maximum of 20. That would be fabulous on our first year out, but I know we're going to have to do some work," she said. "A lot of girls and guys that would cheer are currently involved in other sports, because it hasn't been offered in so long. I'm sure it's going to take us some time."
Jones' history with cheerleading dates back to her own days in a youth cheering program. She went on to cheer on both the junior varsity and varsity teams at her high school and spent some time on the squad while attending Franklin Pierce College in Ringe, N.H.
There are countless reasons to take to the pyramid, she says.
"It's a lot of fun, there's a lot of camaraderie. You not only learn all these great things about football and other sports, but you're also getting your self-esteem. Everybody can be a cheerleader -- guys, girls, anybody that wants to come out," she said. "Even if you're not sure, just come out and try it to see if you like it. If you like to dance, if you like to chant or sing, if you like to be loud and watch sports, just come on out and try it. Cheer is great for that.
"Even if you haven't cheered before, it's OK. We'll teach you everything you need to know."
Kerri Fleming can be reached at kfleming@reformer.com, or 802-254-2311, ext. 163.
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