HOULTON, Maine — For the first time since the Houlton High School football team became an official school sport, cheerleaders were included on the sidelines during Saturday night’s game.
The RSU 29 school board approved fall cheering as a club sport at its September meeting, which allowed the cheerleaders to officially be a part of the football program.
“A few girls from Houlton, Paige Ford and Lexi Crouse, came up with the idea to start a cheer club so they could work on their skills and do sideline cheers for the varsity football team,” explained Stephanie Ford. Ford’s husband Richard serves as the coach for the team.
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- Leading the cheers Saturday night at the Shire Football game are Houlton cheerleaders, from left, Kalle Neureuther, Paige Ford, Grace Toupin and Lexi Crouse. (Joseph Cyr)
“Their idea was presented to the Houlton High School principal and athletic director in early August,” Stephanie Ford said. “They didn’t make it easy with a long list of requirements. Luckily these girls have been proactive, keeping a positive attitude, and working hard at captains’ meetings lead by Delaney Despres and Paige Ford.”
The team members decided to order their own uniforms, bows and poms so they would be ready to go once the school board approved.
Members of the cheer squad include: Josie Ford, Paige Ford, Emily Miller, Despres, Sidney Peabody, Kalle Neureuther, Morgan Harris, Lindzi Nelson, Ocean Sadler, Grace Toupin, Lexi Crouse and Rachel Hatfield.
Both Despres and Paige Ford, along with Josie Ford who is the focal point for dance choreography, are experienced with a long history of competitive cheer.
“I am a senior at Houlton and cheerleading has always been my passion,” Despres said. “I moved here last year and came from an area where football season and cheerleading went together. It has been so very exciting for me to kick-off my senior year being able to do what I love and give back to the team by being their captain, providing leadership and forming amazing friendships.”
“I am so happy that my dream of having fall cheer in Houlton has finally become a reality,” Paige Ford said. “It has given us the opportunity to practice and improve on our cheer skills, get in shape for winter cheer tryouts. All of us love to cheer, which is why we started this club sport. It is so much fun and rewarding to be the spirit squad for the school’s fall sports.”
