The Ellswoth Community College Cheer/Dance Team held a Fall Cheer Clinic on Saturday, Nov. 11, with 14 participants ages Pre-K to 6th grade.
The clinic was held from 9-10:30 am at Dale Howard Gym. ECC Cheerleaders instructed the future cheerleaders in motion technique, three ECC sideline chants, jumps, and a dance routine. Participants also enjoyed playing cheer games like "Ships and Sailors" and learning fun dances like "Peanut Butter and Jelly Time" while making new friends at camp. Pounce, the ECC Panther, stopped by to meet the young cheerleaders.
Members of the ECC Cheer/Dance Team who helped with the clinic included Noelle Hines (Head Captain) and Emily Krull (co-captain), Grace Krusemark, Isabella Seehusen, and Tylia Kaisand under the supervision of Coach Katie Reed.
Clinic participants performed at pre-game of the ECC's Women's basketball game, where they demonstrated to fans and family the sideline chants, jumps, and dance they learned during camp earlier that day.
"Cheer clinics are a great way to connect with future generations to share skills, foster relationships, and build interest in cheerleading in the community," commented ECC Head Cheer/Dance Coach Katie Reed. "Our college cheerleaders get to have fun and teach skills to future cheerleaders who look to them as role models. Cheerleaders have multiple roles on campus and in the community … they serve as spirit raisers, community ambassadors, campus leaders, athletes, and entertainers. Clinics are also program fundraisers for us to support our financial needs to support the student athletes within our program. The clinics serve two functions primarily for ECC Cheer, spirit raising and fund raising. We have fun hosting clinics and appreciate the community's support always. It is one way we demonstrate our committment to Panther Pride for our campus and community."
ECC will host a Winter Cheer Clinic on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9 to 11am in Dale Howard Gym. Participants are scheduled to perform during hafltime of the ECC Women's Basketball Game that day at 1 pm. Registration will open online during early January.
"We hope to see the same smiling faces from our fall clinic and more future cheerleaders who were not able to attend this fall," says Coach Reed.