224 CHEERLEADING CHEER to HEAR The Harding Cheer team takes a hiatus due to COVID-19. It was difficult for the Harding Cheer team to be removed from the athletic sidelines in fall 2020, but they discovered new ways to maintain encouragement on campus. When the team first discovered sports were canceled, they felt a sense of loss, especially for football. “Since it’s our senior year, it was a lot to take in that we’re not going to get to cheer for football,” senior captain Jasie Mason said. Additionally, because stunting required close contact with one another, the team was not allowed to practice or perform certain exercises in order to comply with COVID-19 guidelines. However, they were thankful that they were allowed to meet as a team and regain the community they lost in the spring 2020 semester. “It is very different,” Mason said. “We’re going to try to make the best out of it.” The team could have been discouraged, but they persevered and thought of ways to help their community and encourage their peers. “One thing I’ve really enjoyed about cheering for Harding is everybody has a good attitude,” senior captain Rachel Frost said. “That’s something that we need a lot of right now and can help build community.” In order to build this community during a difficult time, senior Kaci Mason relayed the influence people have despite the unfavorable circumstances. “I think it’s important for us to be an example to other sports teams, too, since we are cheerleaders,” Kaci Mason said. “We can still do good things and still be a part of our sports team even though it’s different.” story by Selby Bailey Yates No CHE RLEADING
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