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Boys’ cheerleading takes off during the fall season at Air Academy High School as a serious extra-curricular activity. These guys are extremely dedicated to their sport and persevere through grueling and tiring practices. Sonny Canete and Cameron Peak say that boys’ cheerleading requires an extreme amount of dedication, hard work, and time. Gavin Gray says he joined cheerleading for a challenge. “I’ve been involved in almost every sport and I wanted to get stronger,” he says. According to Isaiha Easley, “It’s harder than you think.” On the plus side, however, Isaiha adds, “Cheer is an opportunity to make friends.” After all, Cameron Peak joined the squad because his friend, Brendan Boyle, convinced him to.

But joining cheerleading as a guy did not go unnoticed. Surveys show that cheerleading was once a male dominated sport, although since the 1950’s, it is completely run by women in half-time shows. High schools allow the sport to be co-ed, but that is essentially, the only place. “For example, male gymnasts and cheerleaders may be looked upon differently because such sports are viewed as female dominated sports,” says Jennifer Bahas from Bryn Mawr College. Therefore, there is no doubt that cheerleading will appear to be too “girly” for guys to participate in.  Gavin Gray says, “Some people thought I was too feminine. They were quick to judge.” Nick Pelaez and Kyle Valdespino also say that some people thought that it was far too girly to join a cheer squad as a guy. Sonny Canete mentioned that his friends viewed him the same way initially. Brendan Boyle, on the other hand, says that cheerleading causes his peers to look up to him and he even snagged a friend to join with him.

Throughout the season, cheer has gained much more respect. Now, the boys say that they are respected, looked up to, and accepted into a family of girls. Isaiha Easley and Gavin Gray compare the cheerleading environment to a family. Although the team consists of both boys and girls, the cheerleaders come together and mesh as one. This cooperation and communication throughout the teammates allows complex tricks and choreography to be a part of their sport, because the building blocks of trust can spark any idea. “Everyone is so nice and encouraging,” say Nick Pelaez and Kyle Valdespino.

Despite the fact that the requirements in cheer are extremely strict and attendance is vital, the boys have a chance to experience working in a family-oriented environment, make new friends, and gain strength.