Grizzlies Are What?

“Grizzles are what? Red hot! Grizzlies are what? Red hot!” By now, you have probably heard this cheer at a pep assembly, at a basketball game, or potentially even in the halls of The Bear Creek School. Basketball games are a highlight for students of all ages at The Bear Creek School, and they would not be the same without the cheer team.

The cheer team is a group of girls in grades 9 – 12 with the goal of “bringing spirit to the school and each basketball game,” says Coach Cady Reimer. Delphine Li, junior, says that “cheer has brought together girls from across grades” and has “also developed a sense of family and community.” Although often glanced over, high school students range from age 14 to 18. While this may seem only a difference of four short years, the growth and difference can be vast, and one would assume it would affect the dynamic of school teams or organizations. Yet this team was not limited by age gaps or differences, it was instead a unifier. Josie Walsh, senior, says “The atmosphere is full of positivity and love. It’s a family, but more specifically a sisterhood. I can always count on each team member to uplift me each day. We’re all about girl power!” While unified on the court and in routines, these girls are also unified during their day to day lives.

While much of their hard work goes unseen, the girls practice three times a week from November to February and are led by coaches Cady Reimer and Alley Files. Like many sports teams at Bear Creek, the fruits of their dedication are only put on display during school events or matches. Jaeden Jensen, freshman, wishes that “everybody knew the time and dedication we put into everything we do and the strong relationships we make.” Lauren Glass, junior, says “It is all about connecting with the audience and boosting school spirit.” She adds, “It definitely takes a lot of practice to have every little move and cheer memorized and in sync with the rest of the team.” For many people, it can be hard to even try to guess what someone else may be thinking, but these girls take on this challenge, syncing their choreography and becoming a unified team.

Yet, the dances, routines, and school spirit the cheer team creates does not only benefit the student body. Josie Walsh, senior, says “Cheer has added something to my life: a sisterhood. The only siblings I have are boys, so to feel like I’ve gained over ten sisters is what I’ve always wanted and more.” Gabriella Drewer, junior, says, “Cheer has added so much to my life; it has given me amazing lifelong friends, made me stronger and tougher, and made me trust myself, my coach, and my team.” Obviously, cheer team is much more than a place where students can explore their love for dance and cheer. It is an environment where students grow physically and emotionally as they begin to rely on each other and form, as Josie puts, “a sisterhood.”

Although the team specifically leads the high school student section in cheers, the impact they have on the entire student body, from kindergarten to twelfth-grade, is apparent. Programs within the school, like Adopt-a-Grizzly, allow younger students to become more acquainted with the high schoolers just across the way. From my own Lower School experience, I can attest that the cheerleaders inspired me to grab some pom-poms and get out cheering. While this did not necessarily come to fruition for me, it is obvious that this team has inspired many Junior Grizzlies, who are often at basketball games with their pom-poms ready to lead when it finally becomes their turn.