My entire life I have overheard debates of whether or not cheerleading is a “real sport”. To high school boys, a “real sport” entails tackling, balls, and a scoreboard, all of which cheerleading does not possess. Though, if the very boys who believed cheer not to be a sport were to experience a single practice leading up to the CVCs Championship, I can guarantee that they would feel very differently. There is blood, sweat, tears and more that goes into constructing the routine presented at CVCs cheer competition. From early mornings to late nights, the dedication this team put in to earn a first place is incredibly unmatched.

In 2019, The Steinert Varsity Cheerleaders completely blew the competition away at the CVC Championships, winning both first place within the All-Music Division and Grand Champions. Sadly, the competition season was obstructed due to Covid-19 for the 2020 season, but the competitive energy of the team never faltered. Returning for the 2021 season, Steinert once again took home the first place spot within the All-Music Division. And for the third time in a row, this year, we took first place within the All-Music Division at the 2022 CVCs Championship. These consecutive wins do not only reflect upon the diligence and dedication of the program, but also on the cheerleaders themselves.

A particular cheerleader that completely embodied the tenacity of Steinert Cheer is Lauren Iraca. The day before CVCs, Lauren had unknowingly broken a bone in her hand during practice. To most athletes, this injury would completely hinder their ability to participate in their sport. However, Lauren continued to overcome the indescribable pain and continued to practice and compete in the competition, leading the team to victory. She is a true example of what it means to be a part of the Steinert Varsity Cheerleading Program, and represents only one of the many obstacles this team had to overcome throughout the season.