Juion Eden Emerson has cheered since her freshman year for football, wrestling and basketball. Her GPA is 3.68 and she is planning on a career in marine biology.

C&G: How has cheerleading prepared you for the future?

Emerson: Cheerleading has made me more comfortable in front of people and it gives you a lot of confidence. I find it easier to talk with people now.

C&G: What is the best part about cheerleading?

Emerson: We can get into games for free. We are right next to the action and we can go wild when we want to.

C&G: What is the worst part about cheerleading?

Emerson: I hate getting up early in the morning to go to tournaments. People expect things from you that aren't the true you. Some people look down on you and won't talk to you or be your friend because you are a cheerleader.

C&G: How do you feel about stunting at W.F. West?

Emerson: I think we should have a stunt team. At camp they teach us how to do stunts. A couple of years ago a girl had a stunting accident; now we can't have a stunt team.

C&G: Do you view cheerleading as a sport?

Emerson: Not really, there is really no competition. In college there is, so maybe there.

C&G: Do you ever compete with other cheerleaders?

Emerson: We have to go to camp with a dance routine and 3 cheers [and] we compete with the other schools. Last summer we got 4 superiors and 2 excellents, which is good.

C&G: Does cheerleading prevent you from doing sports?

Emerson: Not really. If I had the talent I would do sports. Cheerleading is the next best thing.

C&G: How do you think the student body feels about cheerleading?

Emerson: I don't think they really appreciate us. They wouldn't do what we do, so they think we look silly.

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