HOLLY POND, Ala. — Freshman Kalli Ham cheered on the Holly Pond varsity team and talked about that experience, plus what she learned, and what it was like cheering with a great group of girls.
“My experience, personally, was really good. I love cheer very much. I learned that we need to stick together even through the tough times. Throughoutcheer, especially competition, it was tough at times, and I learned that we need to stick together. Another thing I learned is that we are capable of doing things you may not think you really are capable of doing,” Ham said. “It was great because yes, you know them, but cheering with them is a whole new way to get to know them. I made lots of great friends.”
Kalli learned an important thing under her coaches and the upperclassmen, plus she talked about making it to state last year.
“They were amazing to me, and I learned that it’s okay to mess up because no matter what, you will get better,” Ham said. “We had one senior, Aliyah Ludwig, and I learned from her to not take the sport for granted, same with the upperclassmen. They were hard on you because they didn’t want you to give up, but they were all really sweet. It was amazing getting to go to state. I was very nervous, but I had an awesome time with all the girls, because we worked so hard to make it there. I learned life is short and you are only in high school for so long, so have fun, but work hard.”
Kalli will work on some things to get ready for the upcoming year and talked about her goals and the team goals.
“I will work on my technique and cheer in general, but also sportsmanship, because it can’t ever be too good,” she said. “One of my personal goals is to get better in tumbling, but my team goal is for all of us to love and care for each other, regardless what’s being said or happening.”
Kalli and the rest of the cheer squad will look to make this upcoming year another special one. She looked up to a very special person when she was younger and talked about some of the best advice that she was ever given.
“This squad this year is smaller than it was last year, but it is smaller. I think it will be special with some of the new girls we have and just watch how we can work hard together to try to make it to state this year,” she said. “I looked up to my mom and what she taught me about cheer because she was a cheerleader when she was in school. The best advice that I was ever given is to always keep your head held high, regardless of how you feel about what you’re doing.”
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