Pioneer Cheerleaders l to r: Teagan Cochran, Jozlyn Baumann, Hailey Schwenke, and Tavie Wortman.
Cheerleading began fashionably late this school year but has been fashionable as of late.
The Big Sandy Pioneers boast a six-girl squad this winter sports season after a fall hiatus. The cheer crew were largely busy in autumn playing volleyball.
Returning squad members are Amaya Edwards, Jozlyn Baumann and Haley Schwenke. Tavie Wortman, Kodi-Jo Phillips and Teagan Cochran are newer additions.
The girls donned aloha-themed duds for "Hawaiian Night" at the last basketball home game Friday.
"We're trying to create more of a fun atmosphere at home games to get our community involved," said cheer coach Heather Dilworth.
Dilworth said assistant boys basketball coach Laci Keller Christensen suggested introducing themes for "more of a team unity feel."
An "Ugly Sweater Night" matched with the home opener and a "blackout" night, with all home team fans encouraged to wear black, is scheduled for Friday when Box Elder visits.
The theme nights come on the heels of service projects done in conjunction with the basketball teams, aided by Dilworth's ease in coordinating with the boys varsity coach, her husband, Thomas. The teams have joined up to do some Christmas caroling and assist with the meals delivered to homebound seniors from Pep's.
"Getting involved more in the community ... will be a good thing for us," Dilworth said.
As will continued collaborations with the hoopsters, which may include a Valentine's Eve halftime dance performance Feb. 13, she said.
Prompted by a team eager to perform stunts, Dilworth said she recently took a stunt course. The Booster Club donated gymnastics mats. The Big Sandy girls have previously done a joint practice with Fort Benton and learned a dance with the league rival.
"The cheerleaders can come together and have fun and try to keep the peace," Dilworth laughed. "With COVID, I think everybody's just grateful that they get to participate and do activities."
Big Sandy cheerleaders are also working to coordinate dances with the pep band and to perform at halftime later in the season. In the meantime, "they rotate around the gym to get different parts of the crowd involved," Dilworth said. "They're fun girls and they definitely have a lot of energy."
"We all get along really well," Wortman said.
"We've really bonded," added Cochran.
Baumann said this is because the girls have "similar senses of humor, I'd say. We all like dancing."
Schwenke said she doesn't mind a lower-key vibe after volleyball concluded.
"We're not getting stressed out," she laughed.
Dilworth said the team's annual cheer camp fundraiser may not be possible due to COVID-19 but a "pop shoot" to benefit cheer may come later in the hoops season.
