By Chris Cox
While COVID-19 caused disruptions to just about everything in life, Classical School of Wichita head cheer coach Kris Darrah said one good thing to come from the pandemic was the formation of the CSW cheer team.
“Last year, no fans were allowed in the games, but cheerleaders were,” says Darrah. “So, we decided in order to get some of our students into games to cheer on our teams, we’d start a cheerleading squad. We had a very limited selection of cheers and just got out there and started cheering. With that being a success, we decided to make cheerleading official this year.”
Ella Bird and Emma Zickafoose are the only ones of the original five cheerleaders back this year and Zickafoose says it’s a little strange being considered a veteran since she hasn’t cheered much longer than anyone else.
“Usually, I’m a pretty quiet person and I have not really played any other sports at school,” says Zickafoose. “So it has been fun to be a leader this way and to be the one that starts the cheers and is the loudest. I’m also teaching everyone what to do even though I don’t always know what I’m doing. But it’s been a great opportunity to show leadership in sports when that’s not something I’ve tried before.”
Sophomore Kayley Shanfelt says CSW has always had opportunities for dance teams, so she was really excited to try out for cheer when it became available.
“I’ve loved the opportunity we’ve been given,” Shanfelt says. “Being able to grow closer with everyone, it been just a joy to be a part of the team.”
Zickafoose says the fans have really embraced this squad.
“It’s been so great to see K through 12 students getting up to cheer with us,” she says. “I feel like this has made the CSW community a lot closer.”
“It’s been super fun watching these girls grow,” says Darrah. “We were just laughing and talking about how last year they didn’t know where to stand, how to stand, or what to do. Just watching their confidence grow and watching them laugh, have fun, and just enjoy the sport has been the best part.”
The Classical School of Wichita Cheer team includes Ella Bird (Sr.), Lauren Brown (So.), Elizabeth Chan (Sr.), Betsy Koehn (So.), Sophia Schneider (Fr.), Kayley Shanfelt (So.), Emma Zickafoose (Sr.), and Kate Zickafoose (So.).
