Chants and
Changes
Senior Maryliz Henning has been a part of the cheer team over the last four years. As the team established themselves, Henning has adjusted with the successful differences that separates this year from the rest. BY MADISON HEIDE SPORTS EDITOR
S
he yells with the crowd. But the glittering emblazoned letters across her chest striking against her shiny white uniform immediately distinguish her from those in the stands. She smiles, her face covered with glittering makeup, her demeanor radiating with spirit, passion and enthusiasm. She then lifts a purple pompom into the air, and the army of over two dozen other girls directly resembles her motions. Senior Maryliz Henning has been a cheerleader since her freshman year at Sion. But she has been participating in cheer since seventh grade where she began just because some of her friends were doing it. Henning is now captain of the National Champion Cheer Team. But the road to success was not easy, and Henning had to grow and adapt as the Sion Cheer program changed over the years. The team has completely transformed since her freshman year. During her freshman year, they constantly struggled to even hold girls up during a pyramid. When she was an underclassman the team did not even attempt to run any complex stunts, because nobody knew how. And each year the team got a new coach, basically starting from scratch according to Henning. But finally, with Head Cheer Coach Lisa Lauck, the team began to come together. It was under Lauck’s leadership that a decision was made to compete again after seven years. And when the team voted Henning as a captain, it was easy for the team to reach success.
“She has what I would call a quiet strength about her, she doesn’t yell, but she has a calm strength,” Lauck said. “She is a great leader, who is reliable and dedicated. She is a great example to the other girls.” Cheer was Henning’s way of becoming involved at Sion. She was able to create bonds and relationships and make friends that truly made Sion home. Not only did she learn effort and teamwork, but she learned how to be a leader. Henning flourished under her position as captain. “She brings the team together to focus but also keeps the mood upbeat,” junior Emmie Gragg said. “It is hard to be a leader without being bossy, but she does it. She makes everyone feel comfortable.” Winning Nationals was a defining moment for Henning as a cheerleader. It was a statement showing all her hard work had paid off, and winning Nationals did not only make Sion history, but it started the tradition of excellence that will now be expected from the cheer team. “It really meant a lot to win Nationals because we were the first ones to actually go to Nationals and also win,” Henning said. “We were all talking about how we made Sion history which is so cool.” According to Henning the strong beginning will only grow under Lauck and the continued effort from the team, but Henning is proud she helped to lay the foundation for success. She smiles, remembering her legacy at Sion, and begins the count off for the next cheer. Pom poms flash in the air. The season isn’t over yet.
“She has what I would call a quiet strength about her, she doesn’t yell, but she has a calm strength.” -Cheer Coach Lisa Lauck
Cheer earns 2008 Sion a seventh place finish at state
Cheer is Universal 2010 Sion Cheerleaders Association Show-Me Regional Champs
begins 2011Henning Varsity cheering at Sion
