Schools
CLC's Lancer Cheerleaders Make Their Debut
The College of Lake County has a new cheerleading squad.
Fifteen College of Lake County students, former rivals at high school cheerleading competitions, have formed a new Lancer Cheerleading Club, which gave its first public performance at men’s and women’s home basketball games on Jan. 17.
Teresa Aguinaldo, interim executive director of Student Life, said she is excited about the revival of cheerleading at CLC after a long hiatus—the college had a pom-pom squad several years ago and an athletic department-sponsored cheerleading squad in the 1970's, 80's and 90's.
“I commend the students and their advisor, Henna Kittridge, for their passion and school spirit,” Aguinaldo said. “This is a great thing!”
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Kittridge, an adjunct English instructor, was approached by one of her students, Lisa McCarthy, last semester about advising the new club, and it took off from there.
“Not only am I still doing what I love to do, but I have also gained a great amount of friends,” McCarthy said. “It’s great seeing that even though we are all from different high schools we are able to work together and come up with some great performances. Plus I’ve never seen any team closer than we all are,” she said.
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McCarthy said the cheerleaders have been asked to cheer at Lancer baseball and softball games and appear at college events.
The new club’s first performances drew supporters of the cheerleading club to the games. They performed at the two half-times and led the crowd in cheers.
CLC’s new athletic director, Dr. Darryl Pope, is a fan of the Lancer cheerleaders.
“Their energy and enthusiasm have already made a difference to the student athletes participating as well as those to who attend the games,” he said. “The players and the crowd feel, hear and see the difference when the cheerleaders are involved.”
Submitted by the College of Lake County