For nearly four decades, Sutton High School athletics have gone without something once familiar on the sidelines: a cheerleading squad.
This year, cheerleading is back.
The push to bring the program back began with students who wanted another way to be involved at Sutton High School.
A group of Sutton students put together a proposal showing both the interest in cheerleading and why they believed restarting the program was important, according to Sutton Jr./Sr. High School Principal Jason Cafferty.
That proposal eventually became a months-long effort involving students and adults. Briley Griess, Robin Griess, Shannon Althouse, Kris Althouse and Shelia Hajny were part of the proposal team.
“Relief!” Robin Griess, Briley’s mother, said of her reaction when the program became a reality. “It took several months, lots of meetings, and some hurdles to get cheer started back up.”
“The idea of bringing cheerleading back actually came from our student body,” cheer sponsor Beth Stone said. “We had a group of eager girls who put in countless hours and a lot of hard work to help bring cheerleading back to Sutton. Their excitement and determination really helped get the program off the ground, which makes its return even more special.”
The last Sutton High School cheerleading squad is believed to have been around 1985 or 1986, although the sponsors are not certain exactly when or why the program ended.
For Sutton High School junior Briley Griess, being part of its return is particularly meaningful. Cheerleading is something she has wanted to do since she was young.
“I have wanted to be a cheerleader ever since I was a little girl,” Briley said. “It has always been a dream of mine, even if I used to be a shy person.”
Working with younger cheerleaders over the past few years increased her interest. She had also heard stories from her grandmother and others about their own experiences with cheerleading.
“They would say that some of their best memories were doing cheer in high school,” she said.
Her mother said that longtime interest has made the return of cheerleading particularly exciting for Briley.
“She is on cloud nine about her team, her coaches, and the events they are planning,” Robin said.
Briley was among the students who worked to bring cheerleading back, an effort she said makes being part of the first squad especially meaningful.
“Being a part of the first cheer squad since the 1980s means so much to me,” she said. “We are bringing back old traditions and making people who used to do it back then very proud.”
“I was one of the ones who helped bring back cheer to Sutton, so that is something special,” Briley said.
Eleven girls are part of this year’s squad, with Stone and Kim Moore serving as co-sponsors.
Cafferty said bringing cheerleading back provides another opportunity to keep students involved in school activities while adding to school spirit.
Robin sees that opportunity as one of the program’s biggest benefits.
“It allows another way for students to be involved without having to play sports,” she said.
Stone and Moore weren’t sure what to expect for participation during the program’s first year and have been pleased with the interest. “The girls have been ecstatic to cheer and to be part of something so special, especially knowing they are helping build the foundation for future Sutton cheerleaders,” Stone said.
Both sponsors bring experience with cheer or dance to the new program. Stone was a member of her high school dance team, while Moore cheered in high school and later served as a judge for the cheer and dance competition at the Cornhusker State Games.
The two sponsors are also aunt and niece.
“Getting to take on this opportunity side by side has made bringing cheerleading back to Sutton even more special,” Stone said. “We have a lot of fun together, balance each other well, and are so excited that we get to share this experience while building something special for our girls and future Sutton cheerleaders.”
Briley said the work the sponsors have put into the new program has not gone unnoticed.
“What has surprised me most is the support we have been shown and how much effort our coaches have shown,” she said. “Our coaches work so hard each and every day to make a well-rounded team and to make sure we are feeling confident.”
Starting again after such a long absence has also meant there was no existing blueprint to follow.
“The biggest challenge has simply been the unknown,” Stone said. “With cheer being a new program again at Sutton, there hasn’t been an existing blueprint for us to follow.”
That has meant figuring out uniforms, practices, expectations and traditions along the way. At the same time, starting from scratch gives this first squad the chance to shape what Sutton cheerleading will look like in the future.
“We are learning as we go,” Stone said. “At the same time, that has also been one of the most exciting parts because we get to build the program together and create traditions that can hopefully continue for years to come.”
Briley said the community response has been encouraging.
“The reaction from the community has been great,” she said. “They have been so supportive and have given many compliments. You can tell that they are eager to see what this year brings, and so are we.”
For the sponsors, the goal goes beyond adding cheers to Sutton sporting events. They hope the girls will help build school spirit while developing confidence, leadership, friendships and a sense of belonging.
Robin said the process of helping bring the program back has already provided lessons beyond cheerleading.
“There were lots of tough talks and knowing when and how to approach people,” she said. “She definitely learned some good life lessons, and we are ready to see this year unfold and watch this team grow.”
Briley is already thinking about the students who may put on a Sutton cheer uniform after this first squad has graduated. She hopes the work being done by this year’s team will help establish a program that continues to grow.
“I want this program to grow over the years and to have great opportunities for the future,” she said.
After roughly four decades without a squad, this year’s cheerleaders aren’t simply joining a Sutton tradition. They have the opportunity to help create one.
“My hope is to be building a great team now so in the future it is just as great, if not better,” Briley said.
