Last night, young students gathered for Comet Cheer Camp in the auditorium. Beyond mastering jumps and chants, these young Comets discovered something even more powerful: the impact of celebrating others.

Cheerleading, at its core, is more than synchronized movements and spirited chants. It is about lifting others up, recognizing effort, and fostering a contagious joy that ripples through a community. At Comet Cheer Camp, the young participants learned that their role goes beyond the sidelines; they are encouragers, energizers, and reminders of perseverance in the face of challenges.

Kids are naturally drawn to joy. When given the opportunity to cheer for someone else, to see another person’s success and celebrate it, they experience something deeply transformative. At Comet Cheer Camp, these young girls practiced more than cheers; they practiced selflessness. They learned that by shifting their focus outward and celebrating the efforts of others, they were uplifted.

This simple yet profound lesson can shape a child’s perspective on life. Encouraging others instills confidence, not just in the one receiving the cheer, but in the one giving it. Studies in child development show that when kids are actively engaged in positive reinforcement, it strengthens their own sense of value and purpose. They begin to see that their words and actions matter, that their voices can inspire others to keep going, and that joy is not found in personal success alone, but in uplifting those around them.

Cheerleading at Hillcrest Academy is not about blindly supporting a team; it is about embodying a spirit of joy that sees beyond the scoreboard. It is easy to celebrate when things go well, but true encouragement remains steadfast regardless of outcomes.

At camp, these young Comets learned that cheering is not just about hyping up a team when they are winning—it is about inspiring them when they are struggling. They saw firsthand how cheerleaders guide fans, setting the tone for the crowd. Whether the game is close or the team is behind, cheerleaders have the unique role of keeping the spirit alive, reminding players and fans alike that effort, perseverance, and teamwork are always worth celebrating.

This mindset teaches a vital life lesson: there is always something to be grateful for, always something to encourage, always something good worth recognizing. This aligns with the biblical principle found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

The girls joined the Comet Cheerleaders at halftime of the boys’ last home basketball to perform a cheer for the fans. The gym floor was packed with these young Comet cheerleaders, who learned more than a couple of cheers to share with fans last night, they learned the power of being an encourager, and in that received a boost in their identity as someone who cheers for others.