With a stomp and a clap, Cheer and Dance Team makes its mark

The ARHS Cheer and Dance Team is, above all, a safe and supportive place. “We work on uplifting each other to succeed as a team,” said Rutiene Varela Vaz, one of the co-captains. “[We’re not] scared to try something new.” 

Tryouts are held twice a year in November and August, and anyone is allowed to try out no matter what level they’re at. Summit clinician Erin Edinson is the coach for cheer, while ARHS dance teacher Remy Fernandez O’Brien and Co-Advisor Evelin Aquino are the coaches for dance. 

This is a new arrangement; previously, Edinson coached both. “We’re only able to do the [dance] work because of the foundation built by Erin and past students,” said Fernandez O’Brien.

The team consists of the two captains, Varela Vaz and Eva Ramsey, working hard to choreograph cheers, rehearse, and teach the members routines, as it is very student-led. “My goal for my captains is to help them lead with a growth mindset, especially when working with individual students,” said Edinson. 

The coaches are very supportive of the student-led model and admire the work their students are doing. “Rutiene makes sure everyone’s needs are met, and Eva has a sharp eye for detail to make sure that everyone is together in the dance,” said Fernandez O’Brien. 

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to support and guide these amazing young humans,” added Edinson. 

The rest of the team includes Nefissa Marques, Sanaa Johnson, Nada Armoush, Evie Williams, Maria Borges Lopes, Mya Glacé, Melody Ononibaku, Lara De Andrade, Leyeti Ward, Ziomara Salmon-Fernandez, Kat Cashen, Michelle Chikwadze, and Kebra Short.

They practice on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in the Dance Studio after school. They also share time throughout the week with the cheer team, which has all of the same members, plus a few more.

They cheer for football in the fall and basketball in the winter, while dancing all year round. A culminating performance took place at the Mullins Center on December 13. The team is currently preparing a new dance to “Whip My Hair,” by Willow Smith, and practicing the dance they already know to “Drill ‘em Down,” by Snappy Jit. “We practice the dances and talk,” said Varela Vaz. 

The ARHS cheer team isn’t like any other team; they do things a little differently. They’re a stomp-and-shake team and mostly don’t use pom-poms, unlike the majority of cheerleading teams. “The rhythmic claps, stomps, and chants showcase a strong, dominant side of cheering that is completely electrifying and powerful,” said Edinson.

At the cheer and dance team’s performance at the Mullins Center last year, they were told it was outstanding and entertaining. “People were saying our cheers were loud and that we sounded in sync. That was our main goal,” said Varela Vaz. They are hoping to make as much of a bang this year.

For a few years, the cheer and dance team has struggled with not being officially considered a sport. This is confusing to them because it requires a lot of athleticism to be on the team, but also because just like any team sport at ARHS, if their grades are bad, they can’t participate. “They consider us a club and not a sport. Not an actual team,” said Varela Vaz. “They don’t take us seriously.” The team is hoping to change this narrative and hope to be seen in a new light, as “a real sport.” 

Though the team is very hardworking and talented, that is not the only thing that makes these dancers shine. It’s the community and love that they share at every practice. “Our team focuses on empowering each student by providing as many supports as possible: academic, accountability, self-love and acceptance, and self-advocacy,” said Edinson. 

Every single member is very immersed in and passionate about the team and the people in it. “I love the little community we’ve formed. We all feel sort of safe together, and like we can talk. I love how we all build a dance together to make it come to life,” said Armoush. 

Some goals the cheer and dance team have for the future are to go to UMass and meet the dance team there, travel to New York City for a dance event, perform as much as possible, and “just have fun,” said Varela Vaz.