Bombers Cheer Showcase

Kaitlynn took the plunge this year into the world of competition cheer. With her years of tumbling experience, she has always been interested in cheer but not quite ready to dive in until now. She joined a Level 1 Elite cheer team called the Bombers with Woodlands Elite here in Katy and has been learning and practicing with her team since July. Since we are cheer rookies, it has been a huge learning curve for all of us. As we began to approach the competition season this winter, I admit feeling uncertain and overwhelmed at the activities and commitment required to fulfill her role on the team. From the intense practice schedule to the complicated hair and makeup requirements, we have all felt like a "deer in the headlights" most days. Throw on top of that my heavy work travel, and it has been a chaotic few months of trying to figure out how we will be able to manage Kaitlynn's cheer season in the coming months. Thankfully we are getting to know some of the other cheer parents and will likely be leaning on them for support.

In mid-November, Kaitlynn's team held a Cheer Showcase in The Woodlands. It was our very first experience with the full makeup and hair application, but we didn't have Kaitlynn's uniform yet. While Covid has introduced a ton of challenges into the season this year, the girls and families were able to gather outside on a gorgeous day while the teams rotated in and out of the competition area inside the gym. While I definitely enjoyed the one-on-one time with Kaitlynn throughout the day, I admit that the entire experience was foreign for me and at times a bit awkward as I tried to figure out what to do and how to support my girl. I ended up sitting in the competition viewing area for a large majority of the afternoon while Kaitlynn bonded and practiced with her teammates. It was fascinating to watch all of the other teams that were participating in the showcase, and I really enjoyed seeing the amazing routines and skills at all levels. 

When it was time for the Bombers to perform, I sat with the other parents to watch the girls for their big moment. The music was loud, the beat was strong, the spectators were roaring, and the girls rocked the show! There was just so much excitement in the gym, and the girls were all over the floor during their routine. As a spectator, it was hard for me to follow all of the action. The stunts, tumbling passes, pyramids, and dancing -- it's just all so much to take in and fascinating to see it all come together in a 3-minute routine!

What I've learned about cheer competitions is that the goal for the teams is to "hit zero," meaning that the squad performs their routine without any deductions from mistakes. Our Bombers put on a great performance at the Showcase, but they fell short of their zero deduction goal for the afternoon. Despite a few mistakes by the team, it was great practice for the girls and gave them a feel for the competition experience leading into the season. Speaking from the rookie perspective, I was thankful for the opportunity for both Kaitlynn and I to see and witness the entire experience and learn what to expect in the coming weeks at the actual competitions. It was an intense and all-consuming event, and thankfully we have more time to figure it all out as we go along. Go Bombers!