Cheerleaders and coaches at WMS prepare for cheer tryouts for the fall semester. 

Mrs. Liastro, the co- coach of the WMS cheer team explained what she looks for to be a good cheerleader, “We want someone who is energetic and who has a lot of school spirit,  is a good representation of our school and someone who goes out and has a lot of fun.”

Mrs. Douglas, a co coach of the WMS cheer team, talked about what events are going on this year, “So we do have to talk to Mr. Panko me and Mrs. Liastro but what we’re hoping for is a pep rally that’s going to introduce all of our sport teams and captains. We are hoping for our boys and girls to go all the way to the championships. Any sort of pep rallies or anything to get the kids pumped up at assemblies we really try to do.”

Mrs. Liastro expounded upon what events are going on this year,  “We always cheer for home basketball games both girls and boys and if either of them make it to the playoffs and championship we get to cheer there. We also do different events throughout the school year so we’ll do pep rallies and last year we first participated in the Black History Month assembly, we also did the multicultural night.”

Mrs. Douglas also added what she looks for to be a good cheerleader, “We love a cheerleader who is positive, is a great role model and is in good academic standing. We don’t want our cheerleaders to take time away from their academics so they are required to have a C or above. We also love to see someone who is a great leader. You know we’re the face of Woodbridge Middle so we want to make sure whoever is a cheerleader is positive in the classroom and is getting great marks in the classroom for helping out and is overall being a great person. We also want someone who is dedicated.”

Mrs. Liastro stated if she thinks that cheerleaders help with school spirit and winning games, “Absolutely, I think there’s a big advantage to having the crowd behind you when your playing a sporting event and I think our cheerleaders really help to kinda get the crowd going and amp up the spirit and not just at the game but also during school and seeing people in their uniforms and saying hey good luck today good job and I think that goes a long way with school spirit and helping boost confidence.”

The passion that these coaches have for cheer is evident by what Mrs. Douglas said, “I cheered my entire academic career from kindergarten and I cheered all the way through high school. I had some of my best memories in cheerleading and I love the opportunity to be able to coach so that way the girls and boys at Woodbridge Middle School are having the greatest times like I did growing up.” 

Good luck this year!