The West Prairie Press

By Brecken Smith

West Prairie High School students Timothy Todd and Jaycee Reynoso teamed up to start a pep club to cheer on the West Prairie–Southeastern Cyclone football team. Their goal is to get more students involved, boost school spirit, and show support for the team.

The pep club will cheer at every home football game in Sciota on September 12, October 4, and October 24. Jaycee and Timmy got the idea rolling by meeting with Principal Pittman to pitch their plan and ask for her help.

To spread the word, they posted a sign-up sheet in the high school office. Nine additional students joined, including Jessica Johnson, Marlee Teel, Kaylyn Ritter, Brianna Knapp, Hailie Hendrix, Grace Hinchee, Maddie Whitlock, and Bailey Kelley.

Jaycee says the response has been better than she imagined:

“It’s actually way more than I thought it would be. We genuinely have more people who are willing to do it and put in the effort than we thought.”

She hopes the group continues to grow and provide strong encouragement for the football team:

“My goals for the pep club are to continue to grow and get more people involved, as well as encourage the football boys and show them our support.”

Timmy admits he didn’t expect the idea to become reality:

“No, I didn’t expect it to happen at all, and nothing really goes the way I think it is going to.”

Still, he hopes the club shows the school they are serious about starting a football cheer team—something students have been requesting for years.

Pep club member Maddie Whitlock shared her thoughts on what makes a great cheerleader:

“The most important qualities are respect, honesty, communication, and team spirit.”

She added that cheer has helped her set personal goals:

“Cheerleading has taught me to have certain goals with whatever I am involved with.”

The pep club is already bringing Cyclone pride to the sidelines. Pep it up, Cyclones!