Cheerleading is one of many sports that Fair Grove Middle School offers to its attending students.
Head coaches Lindsey Dunning, a High School Science teacher, and Kayla Holt, Middle School English teacher, both have mentioned they work very hard at being the best coach they can be as well as being mothers and teachers on top of everything.
Holt adds, “Managing being a coach and a teacher can be a lot, not to mention being a mom and wife on top of that. Really making sure that you have managed your time wisely is extremely important. I try to complete things on time or ahead of time, and not put things off until the last minute. I try to think ahead on all aspects, coaching and teaching, and make priority lists of the tasks I have to complete.”
Being a coach, and a parent is a full time job. Holt explained, “When it comes to managing time with family, that can be tricky. My husband is a football and wrestling coach, which are both in season during cheerleading, so my own kids come with me to practice and games.” Holt continued “We’ve tried to make it part of our family and have had many discussions about how coaching is part of our mission field, and is a way we can reach young athletes to help them not only in their athletic career, but also with their social and emotional skills. When we get family time, we have to be very intentional with the time we spend together.”
Dunning stated, “It can be a lot to manage sometimes, but I think all of us teachers are masters of time management. The toughest part for me is teaching in the high school but coaching in the middle school. The only time I see my girls is at practice since I don’t really see them during the day.”
Both Dunning and Holt had cheerleading/gymnastic experience in high school and were offered the coaching job by the Athletic Director, Damon Seiger.
Although the middle school cheer team is similar to the varsity team, they have some differences. The middle school cheer team does not travel to all the away games like the varsity does, they only cheer at the home games and occasionally if they get the opportunity they can go to some close games. Holt mentioned that the girls were able to attend Strafford and Buffalo games last cheer season.
Middle School Cheer allowed the future eagles to have experience, memories, and hard work under their belt. This allows Fair Grove High to welcome in competitive athletes who are ready to compete and perform.
