Cheerleading

Well photojournalism 305 finally comes to a close. 10 weeks and 7000 pictures later, I have had a great time. This class introduced me to a completely different side of photography and one in which I hope to pursue in the future. Our final assignment asked us to use six pictures to tell a story, it involved three different shoots and behind the scenes of the girls locker room.  The six pictures captioned below are the assignment I turned in and the ones without captions are more pictures from my take. It was difficult deciding on which six would make the story, but in the end I am happy how it came out. I want to say thank you to Lane McCormick and the WWU cheerleading squad for helping me make this project happen.

For now there will be no more weekly assignments, but the blog will continue. I am joining the Western Front next quarter as a reporter and I plan on continuing to shoot personal adventures, events and news throughout. Hope you enjoy!

                                                             

     The Western Washington University cheer squad executes a toss during a halftime performance on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011. “I always get really nervous leading up to a big performance,” said squad co-captain Jodi “Lane” McCormick, 22. McCormick has been a cheerleader for three years and a co-captain for one. The WWU cheer squad is a student run activity that aims to “promote and support athletics in Western’s community,” said McCormick. “Cheer is like a family, we are a really close-knit group.”

      Members of the Western Washington University cheer squad watch a video of a new routine they will perform at an upcoming game. The cheer squad meets every week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at seven in the morning.  During practice the squad works on cheer routines, tosses, and will regularly videotape performances to correct missed or late moves. “There is a level of personal responsibility and accountability for yourself,” said McCormick speaking about cheer practice. “The girls realize the time commitment [to cheer], they want to be here, they want to work hard.” said McCormick. 

    

      Two members of the Western Washington University cheer squad put on make-up before a televised basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011. For important games, the cheer squad meets hours before game time to practice routines, dress up, and mentally prepare.

     

     WWU cheerleader Jodi “Lane” McCormick, 22, smiles in pre-game huddle before a televised basketball game versus Central Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011. “We are really just a bunch of goofballs,” said McCormick.

     

     WWU cheerleading co-captain Jodi “Lane” McCormick, 22, studies geology with a tutor.  “We are all really nerdy,” said McCormick. “School comes first, cheer second.” While cheerleading is not bound to NCCA athletic regulations, the cheer squad takes on a personal code of conduct and abides by the Western Washington Athletic Department’s regulations for student athletes.

      A WWU cheerleader cheers with “spirit fingers” during a foul shot on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. The cheer squad will be holding tryouts for new members in mid-April. “Last year we had about 50 girls tryout,” said co-captain Jodi “Lane” McCormick. “We have girls tryout from all backgrounds, some with gymnastics and cheer backgrounds, others come straight from high school.” Every year is a clean slate for the cheer squad, “nobody is guaranteed a spot,” said McCormick.