Monroe-Woodbury cheer squad delights pep rally revelers

The highlight of last week’s Monroe-Woodbury Pep Rally was the cheerleaders. The cheer team, led by head coach Barbara Alidad, combined with several members of the football team to entertain the student body.

First they put on a brief humor skit about their upcoming game against Minisink Valley. Then the varsity and JV cheer team, along with a few football players, performed a not-so-serious version of the routine for their half time Senior Day show. Their performance brought the students to their feet and, doing what cheerleaders do, the place got real loud.

Later that night, at half time during the football game, the two cheer teams put on their half time show again. In a flawless routine of gymnastics, acrobatics and dance, they performed their magic again. The Senior Day Pep Rally ended with a touching salute to the seniors on this year’s team, which led to many tears on the field and in the stands.

The cheer team is on the side line at every football game home and away in the cold and in the rain. They practice almost year-round and they work very hard on their craft, but no matter what there is always that smile. In the winter months they go into their competition season where they will compete for the Section 9 and state titles.