By Kaylie Mehlenbeck
Silverdale--The Ridgetop Cheer team cheered at the half-time show of the University of Washington women’s basketball team on January 8th, 2017. The cheer team came upon this opportunity by chance. As the cheerleaders from Ridgetop were doing a takeover fundraiser at the Skipper's restaurant in Silverdale, an organizer of the half-time shows came to ask the team if they would like to perform at halftime. The game would be broadcast on ESPN. The cheer team did not perform a dance because the halftime was only 5 minutes, but they did do many chants like “Dynamite”, “Steel it, swipe it,” and many more while youth players competed in mini-basketball games during half-time. Cheerleader Aaliyah chandler said, “It was really cool. We got to see the Husky cheerleaders partner stunt into fulls; the music was good too.“ Cheerleader Rochelle Dean said, ”It was an amazing opportunity and honor that they picked us out of all of the other schools that they could have picked.” The Cheer team performed in Seattle and left from Ridgetop at 10 am in private shuttles and got back at about 6 pm. SILVERDALE--Raiders crowded into the gym for the Winter 1 recognition assembly, but after Coach Swanberg's speech many of the students were teared up.
“I always said be with people that bring you joy,” Coach Swanberg exclaimed, “this team brings me joy,” he said as a microphone was held in front of him as he explained why he came back to coach. Coach Swanberg explained that two years ago during the soccer season he was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that attacks the nerves that control the voluntary muscles, for example the arms and legs. Last year Coach Swanberg wasn’t planning on coming back for a third year of coaching, but he did. “I was really happy,” said returning soccer player Molly Kuligowski. Overall we are very thankful to Coach Swanberg for his dedication and time; we will miss him next year. |
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