Joe Drennan
Sports EditorIn their first year competing in cheerleading competition, the Forest Lake High School cheerleading team won their first competition, but it might be their last.
The Forest Lake cheerleading team competed in a competition in St. Cloud the weekend of Feb. 21. The team took first place out of the four team competition, in only its second competition ever.
This victory for the cheerleading team could be the last though.
At the last school board meeting, funding for a cheerleading advisor was cut in an effort to save money after the $2 million-a-year operating levy was voted down in the fall.
ėThe girls are just crushed,î Cheerleading coach Deb Steele said. ėThey worked so hard.î
The cheerleading team is quite visible at football, wrestling, basketball, and hockey games, and Steele says the parents whose kids play in those sports have told Steele they want their cheerleaders back next year.
In order for the cheerleaders to return they would have to organize as a club with the understanding that they would receive no financial assistance from the school.
ėThey could do that, but all their funding would have to come from fundraisers,î Olson said. ėThey would also need a advisor who shares the philosophies of the school.î
Steele has said that she plans to volunteer her time and coach the girls next season in the hopes that the school board will eventually fund cheerleading again.
ėOther schools have dropped their programs, but were able to bring them back a year later,î Steele said. ėHopefully that can happen here.î
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