Emerson High School - Emersonian Yearbook (Gary, IN)

Page 16 text:

VARSITY CHEERLEADERS—1 to r: Charlice Cline; Bridget Hennessy; Johine Ignelzi, head; Pat Burns; and An¬ toinette Bodnar. Emerson Varsity and Reserve Cheerleaders Just as school spirit was an essential part of school life, so were the cheerleaders essential for good school spirit. Sponsored by the Booster Com¬ mittee and headed by senior Johine Ignelzi, the varsity cheerleaders did their best to make the crowd come alive and cheer. The pep sessions, held after school on game days, really pepped things up and put the cheering block in the right mood. Even be¬ fore school started, the cheerleaders were busy learn¬ ing new techniques and cheers. These new cheers made the games more interesting and exciting for everyone. Whether the basketball games were at Memorial Auditorium or at the other team’s gym, there were always Emersonians there to back the team. Many students gave up their nights out or even brought their dates along to the games so as not to miss a single, exciting game. This enthusiasm showed, with¬ out a doubt, that Emerson possessed tremendous school spirit, something no school should be without. Basketball games draw many excited fans. 12

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Girls Take an Active Part in Activities These senior girls find basketball a fast game. When it comes to sports and extracurricular acti¬ vities, one finds that boys are not the only ones in¬ terested. A stranger coming to Emerson finds that Emerson girls are just as active as the boys and they spend a great deal of time keeping pace with the boys. With each new year, the rules of girls’ sports change more and more to match those of the boys. This comes in handy particularly when the senior boys and girls match their skills in their annual ex¬ hibition basketball game. Parties were a specialty of girls at Emerson. Al¬ though these parties may not have come during the school day, they were always considered a vital part of school life, for every Emersonian attended at least one such party during the year. Making the best popcorn in town was also a specialty of Emerson girls. They displayed their “popping” talents at both Gilroy Stadium and Me¬ morial Auditorium.

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Are Essential for Good School Spirit Excited Homecoming fans cheer their team onward. Those boys participating in varsity sports were not the only ones privileged enough to have cheer¬ leaders. The reserve cheerleaders did a commend¬ able job in getting the pre-game crowds to cheer for the reserve teams. Appearing at the pep sessions, they reminded people to come early to the game and back the reserves. Emphasizing the fact that the reserves would be Emerson’s future varsity team, the reserve cheerleaders helped draw larger crowds to the games with the promise of two exciting games, instead of one. Homecoming always drew large crowds of exu¬ berant fans, and it seems that no matter who the opponents were, Homecoming was always the most exciting game of the year. Emerson girls, wearing their gold mums, and Emerson boys, always shout¬ ing encouragement to the team, seemed to enjoy themselves regardless of the weather or the outcome of the game. The dance following also drew large crowds of both Emersonians and Emerson alumni. It served as a perfect ending to a perfect evening. RESERVE CHEERLEADERS—1 to r: Nancy King; Dawn Davies, head; Carol Ignelzi; and Mary Parnell.