3 minute read
Maryliz Henning Cheer Captain
from February 2015
by Le Journal
Chants and
Changes
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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 She 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 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 She then lifts a purple pompom into the air, and the army of over two dozen create bonds and relationships and make friends that truly made Sion home. other girls directly resembles her motions. “She has what I would call Not only did she learn effort and teamwork, but she learned how to be a
Senior Maryliz Henning leader. Henning flourished under her has been a cheerleader since her freshman year at Sion. But she has a quiet strength about position as captain. “She brings the team together to been participating in cheer since seventh grade where she began just her, she doesn’t yell, but focus but also keeps the mood upbeat,” junior Emmie Gragg said. “It is hard because some of her friends were to be a leader without being bossy, but doing it. Henning is now captain of the National Champion Cheer Team. she has a calm strength.” she does it. She makes everyone feel comfortable.” But the road to success was not easy, and Henning had to grow and -Cheer Coach Lisa Lauck Winning Nationals was a defining moment for Henning as a cheerleader. adapt as the Sion Cheer program It was a statement showing all her changed over the years. hard work had paid off, and winning
The team has completely transformed since her freshman year. During Nationals did not only make Sion history, but it started the tradition of her freshman year, they constantly struggled to even hold girls up during a excellence that will now be expected from the cheer team. pyramid. When she was an underclassman the team did not even attempt to “It really meant a lot to win Nationals because we were the first ones to run any complex stunts, because nobody knew how. And each year the team actually go to Nationals and also win,” Henning said. “We were all talking got a new coach, basically starting from scratch according to Henning. about how we made Sion history which is so cool.”
But finally, with Head Cheer Coach Lisa Lauck, the team began to come According to Henning the strong beginning will only grow under Lauck together. It was under Lauck’s leadership that a decision was made to compete and the continued effort from the team, but Henning is proud she helped to again after seven years. lay the foundation for success. She smiles, remembering her legacy at Sion, and
And when the team voted Henning as a captain, it was easy for the team begins the count off for the next cheer. Pom poms flash in the air. The season to reach success. isn’t over yet.
