The BALM
  • Home
    • Black History Month Collection >
      • Angelica Dass: The Nature of Color
      • Chicago's Historian, My Father
      • Top 3 Black Artists
      • Pain For Profit
      • Black Historical Figures
      • Hiding Behind the Strength
    • Women's History Month >
      • Books Written by Women
      • women are amazing
      • A Celebration Of Women's Achievements
      • Anonymous Stories: Women’s History Month
    • Hispanic Heritage Month >
      • Hispanic Heritage Month
      • Top 5 Books for Hispanic Heratige Month
      • El Día de los Muertos - FAQ
      • Mexican Independence Day
      • Hispanic Artists
      • Hispanic Authors
    • PODCAST >
      • Love & Dating
      • All Things Black History
    • BALM Founders
    • Teacher's Corner >
      • Teacher's Corner: Gordon
      • Teacher's Corner: Ejzak
      • Teacher's Corner: David
      • Teacher's Corner: Wilde
    • Sports/Clubs
    • Student Businesses
    • Resources >
      • LGBTQ+ Resources
  • Meet Us
    • Socials >
      • Google Forms
  • This Month
    • Op-Eds >
      • Rating Valentine Candy (they’re all bad)
      • Why Are Beyoncé Tickets So Expensive?
      • Love Tropes (Ranked)
      • What Disney Couples Teach us About Love
      • Early Decision
      • Anonymous Stories: Insecurities & Self-Love
      • Why I love love
    • Black History Month 2023 >
      • Fiction Deserves Black Literature for Black People
      • The Diaspora Wars
      • Growing Up Black
      • The Duality of Afro-Latinos
      • 5 Thing That Make me Happy as a Black Person
      • Black Girls' Hair
      • Hot Takes From A Tired Black Girl
    • Media Reviews >
      • Hi-Fi Rush game review
      • YOU Season 4 Review
      • Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon
      • Roomates of Poongduck 304
      • A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Book Review
    • CREATIVE WRITING >
      • always wanting more (Trinity - Poem)
      • Cool, Calm, and Collected
      • Armageddon
    • Location Reviews >
      • Navy Pier
    • Sports Panel >
      • Chess Team Sports Analysis
  • Featured Article
  • Humans of Brooks
    • Black Excellence

Humans of brooks:
​cheer interview 

Congratulations to our nine time city champion cheerleaders! If Brooks is known for one thing, it’s the legacy of our cheer team. We decided to interview two of our seniors, Bree and Kelis:
Q: What makes someone a good cheerleader? 
  • Bree: Being a good cheerleader is somebody that is dedicated, hard working, and open to improving their skills, whether it’s big or small.
  • Kelis: A good cheerleader is not only focused on their self, but their team, and they’re a good impact on their team. I think a good cheerleader tries their best, always has a positive attitude, and always tries to lift each other up.

Q: Do you prefer competition or regular season?
  • Bree: I would say both of them are very important. In the regular games, you have to know regular cheer technique, whether that’s your voice, your motions, your jumps, spirit–stuff like that for competition. It's another level of more so dedication. You have to spend a lot of hours doing your routine and perfecting your skills, so for me I would say competition are more important to me, but both of them are vital to being a cheerleader.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a cheerleader?
  • Bree: Prioritize your school work, stay in good health so that when you stop on the mat, you’re at your best, and you can succeed throughout whatever you’re doing, whether that’s practice, performance , speaking, or tryouts–stuff like that. 
  • Kelis: I would say try your best, don't think too hard about it, and don’t let it stress you out.

Q: What about cheer makes you the most excited?
  • Kelis: Being with or making connections. It feels like I have family, and I get to be with my friends, and it’s something else to do outside of work.

Q: How do you carry yourself as a captain?
  • Bree: As a captain, I like to make a connection with each and every team member, making sure that I know how they’re feeling, so that in order for me to lead practice, I know how everyone is going to do that day. Being a captain means being organized and prioritizing what's best for the team. I just try to stay confident, even when I mess up. I’ll do it again to show others that it's okay to mess up, because as long as you practice, you’ll do better.

Q: What are you looking forward to in college as you’re leaving Brooks?
  • Kelis: I’m looking forward to learning how to be independent and starting over starting a new chapter.​
​
Picture

    JOIN THE BALM MAILING LIST 

Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Home
    • Black History Month Collection >
      • Angelica Dass: The Nature of Color
      • Chicago's Historian, My Father
      • Top 3 Black Artists
      • Pain For Profit
      • Black Historical Figures
      • Hiding Behind the Strength
    • Women's History Month >
      • Books Written by Women
      • women are amazing
      • A Celebration Of Women's Achievements
      • Anonymous Stories: Women’s History Month
    • Hispanic Heritage Month >
      • Hispanic Heritage Month
      • Top 5 Books for Hispanic Heratige Month
      • El Día de los Muertos - FAQ
      • Mexican Independence Day
      • Hispanic Artists
      • Hispanic Authors
    • PODCAST >
      • Love & Dating
      • All Things Black History
    • BALM Founders
    • Teacher's Corner >
      • Teacher's Corner: Gordon
      • Teacher's Corner: Ejzak
      • Teacher's Corner: David
      • Teacher's Corner: Wilde
    • Sports/Clubs
    • Student Businesses
    • Resources >
      • LGBTQ+ Resources
  • Meet Us
    • Socials >
      • Google Forms
  • This Month
    • Op-Eds >
      • Rating Valentine Candy (they’re all bad)
      • Why Are Beyoncé Tickets So Expensive?
      • Love Tropes (Ranked)
      • What Disney Couples Teach us About Love
      • Early Decision
      • Anonymous Stories: Insecurities & Self-Love
      • Why I love love
    • Black History Month 2023 >
      • Fiction Deserves Black Literature for Black People
      • The Diaspora Wars
      • Growing Up Black
      • The Duality of Afro-Latinos
      • 5 Thing That Make me Happy as a Black Person
      • Black Girls' Hair
      • Hot Takes From A Tired Black Girl
    • Media Reviews >
      • Hi-Fi Rush game review
      • YOU Season 4 Review
      • Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon
      • Roomates of Poongduck 304
      • A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Book Review
    • CREATIVE WRITING >
      • always wanting more (Trinity - Poem)
      • Cool, Calm, and Collected
      • Armageddon
    • Location Reviews >
      • Navy Pier
    • Sports Panel >
      • Chess Team Sports Analysis
  • Featured Article
  • Humans of Brooks
    • Black Excellence