Port Washington High School's cheerleading program has returned after more than a decade, leading the crowd at the Pirates' first home playoff game of the season at Al Urness Field.

Port Washington

Port Washington High School has revived its cheerleading program after an absence of more than a decade. The new team, featuring students from various grade levels, made their return during the school's first home playoff football game of the season.

The program's comeback was made possible by years of groundwork, including the introduction of a youth cheer program to build interest. Coaches and students expressed enthusiasm about inspiring younger students and strengthening school spirit, with future goals including competition.

Port Washington cheerleaders return after over a decade

It may be Halloween, but it's also Friday football frenzy time and in Port Washington, there's another reason to celebrate. The cheerleaders are back. Alex Gahl spoke with the coach and cheerleaders, Madeline and Kayla about what this means to them and their school. The first ones that Al Ernest Field on game day are the cheerleaders. Hours before kickoff, they're practicing routines and acrobatics before their Pirates host the school's first home playoff game of the season. I just wanted to try cheerleading. I'm a gymnast, so I mean, get out of my comfort zone a little bit. Madeline Mellis-Moen might look like a pro, but this is actually her first year cheerleading. In fact, if you can believe it, this is the whole cheer program's first year back in more than a decade. And for freshman Kayla Ishen, it's about charting new land and sailing forward. It means that I can inspire younger girls and boys who want to do what I'm doing. It's school spirit. They hope you'll hear whether you're sitting in the front row or the last row. And frankly, the story of how and why this year program came back is just as good as the cheer itself. What do you think it is about cheer that connects people and the community together? Making the crowd feel what we're feeling on the field. Right. And how do you how do you bring that to life through, you know, making them feel part of it? Co-coach Mikayla Pleitner spent her whole life cheering, even at Iowa State. But when she moved to Port 15 years ago, she quickly saw a problem. Where are the cheerleaders? Several years ago, the youth football program added a youth cheer program, hoping they could build enough interest to get it going at the high school level. Safe to say, mission accomplished. The next mission, though. We are very much looking to compete one day. And with cheerleaders from freshman to senior, they are well on the way. We're leaving a good imprint on the school. Go, go! Alex Gall, TMJ4 News. Go, go!

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