Character comes first for Decatur cheer team

The 19 girls on Decatur High School’s cheerleading squad are more than just pretty girls dancing in uniforms at school games.

The cheer program requires them to read books on leadership, volunteer and strive to become well-rounded individuals.

“To me, it’s always been so much more than just their talent; it’s about their character, leadership and integrity,” said Laurie Beaver, cheer coach. “And it’s about more than just high school, I want to prepare them for the real world. I want to give them the tools to go out there and be leaders and be strong women.”

Beaver requires the girls to go out in the community to serve. In the past, the cheerleaders sang Christmas carols at a senior living center and this year they’ve done a pet food drive and are gearing up to do a sock drive. They also go to Federal Way elementary schools to volunteer at times.

“It feels good to give back,” said Maranda McGeough, senior. “I love working with the younger kids because often they will tell us they want to be cheerleaders when they are older, so I feel like I am inspiring them.”

Unlike cheerleaders at most high schools, this team cheers for every sport at their school.

“The reason we do it year round is because it is hard to break in a team for only one season,” Beaver said. “The girls and I start together, stay together and we become a family. I think this is the reason the program has stayed strong over the years.”

The girls just finished cheering for football, golf, volleyball and soccer. This winter they will cheer for boys and girls basketball, gymnastics and wrestling.

“We are one of the only squads around here that cheer for every game,” said Kayla Sanborn, senior. “Wrestling is actually my favorite sport to cheer for because it’s kind of cool that we are cheering for one individual person at a time instead of a whole team.”

The Decatur cheerleaders haven’t competed since 2011 when they won the state championship because of limited space and time.

“They’d have to come in on a Saturday and practice for competition and I really want them to have a life outside of school and cheer,” Beaver said. “I think it’s important for them to be social and enjoy their high school years.”

Beaver said it’s easy to get caught up in logistics instead of the love of cheer in the competition world.

“In competition, they push you hard to be the best and to me the real job of a cheerleader is here in their school,” Beaver said.

Beaver has strict requirements for a student to earn a spot on the squad. Their grades and attendance must be up to par and they have to portray a positive attitude.

“My philosophy in choosing who is on the team is that I will take heart over talent any day,” Beaver said. “Talent can be developed if they have the love for cheer and the right attitude, but a girl with talent that thinks she’s God’s gift to the team is poison. Good character takes people so much further.”

Beaver said she’s proud of all her girls this year.

“I love what I do when I have a team like this that is full of hard workers and girls that strive to become good people,” she said. “Who they become after they leave me is my legacy.”

Meet the team

The Decatur cheer team includes:

Nancy Avelar

Promise Calloway

Sydney Choun

Alexandria Contoravdis

Beja Ferrieri

Ann Marie Godoy

Karla Gonzalez

Alexis Hicks

Vivian Huynh

Niayeve James-Ortiz