THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411180169
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
``OK. KEEP YOUR arms straight, and get one pom length apart,'' instructed Sherry Buehner, choreographer for the RockCats, a new student dance team at Great Bridge High School.
Sixteen girls, ranging from freshmen to seniors, spread their arms, flashing green-and-gold pompons.
``Squat. Bend at the knees. Look at your knees. Keep your body tight. Ripple,'' Buehner ordered. A sound like the rush of wind echoed down the school corridor as the poms moved.
For an hour the girls diligently repeated segments of the routine they would perform at the next football game to the accompaniment of an instrumental version of ``Shake, Rattle and Roll.''
The RockCats are the brainchild of Great Bridge senior Kerry Shehan. Her former school in Crofton, Md., had a pompon dance team, and when she transferred to Great Bridge she decided her new school needed one, too.
Principal Robert Robinson wasn't enthusiastic about the idea at first. He told Shehan there had been an attempt to organize a team, but that there hadn't been enough interest among students. The biggest obstacle, he said, would be to find a sponsor.
Advertising through a newsletter, Shehan recruited Darlene Thornton, a teacher at Indian River High School at the time, who agreed to sponsor the squad. Then Shehan put up banners around the school reading, ``If you love to dance, now's your chance.''
She had hoped to recruit between 10 and 30 girls, but 70 showed up at her first organizational meeting and 50 came for the first scheduled practice. From those, 17 joined the team.
``It creates a lot of spirit. That's why I wanted a have a pom squad here,'' Shehan said. ``I really enjoyed the pom squad at my old school and was disappointed there was no team here.''
Thornton, who has taught in the city's school system for 19 years, was so supportive of the idea, she was willing to travel to Great Bridge from Indian River if necessary to get the team started. But, in July, Thornton signed a contract to teach art at Great Bridge high and would not have to travel between the schools.
``I think the girls have handled starting a new group very well,'' Thornton said. ``Having to do the groundwork on anything is a challenge, and I think they have met that challenge. This has been no easy ride, but they have stuck with it all the way.''
``The parents have been wonderful. If it weren't for them, I couldn't survive. They have been a positive point in getting it started and keeping it rolling. Some parents took charge of a fund-raiser. Another, who owns a dance studio, let the team use it for practice during the summer. A lot of parents have donated money.
``And Mr. Robinson has been so supportive,'' Thornton added. ``He kind of went out on a limb doing this. It's not in any of the other schools in Chesapeake. He deserves a lot of credit for giving them a chance.''
Buehner, a substitute teacher who was on a national championship team during her own high school years, volunteered to choreograph and teach routines for the RockCats.
``Mrs. Thornton had had a lot of cheerleading experience, but no dance experience,'' Buehner said. ``So I came in and just started doing it. The girls have been very eager and excited. I think they have jelled as a group.''
In addition to football games, the RockCats have appeared in the Neptune Parade, Chesapeake's Day in the Park and at the Farm Fresh food extravaganza.
``Weekly we get calls for them to perform,'' Thornton said.
Co-captain Jessica Gonzales joined the pom squad because, after nine years of dance classes, the squad gives her an opportunity to perform.
``I enjoy performing in front of people and working with all the girls,'' Gonzales, a senior, said. ``It's a lot of fun.''
``Ever since I was little I have watched dance team competition on TV,'' said co-captain Meredith Jones, also a senior. ``I've been dancing for 14 years. The pom squad adds to what I've been doing.''
``This is our first year, and it's a lot of trial and error,'' Jones said. ``We're still having a lot of trouble getting time spots during football games. For homecoming we only got to dance in the pre-game ceremony. But the squad adds school spirit.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Towana Mann rehearses with the RockCats, Great Bridge High School's
pompon dance squad.
by CNB