The cheerleading team is participating in the “ACTober” month by selling Breast Cancer awareness shirts in conjunction with the football team. All of the proceeds will go to the Loyal Hospital Cancer Center.

Those who purchase and are wearing the $10 shirt will receive free entry to the October 18 home football game. During the game, cheerleaders will be wearing breast cancer shirts they made for the game to show their support.

In addition to fundraising events, the girls have been hard at work practicing.

Varsity cheerleading coach Chihoski noted how “this year varsity is being more competitive and practicing more. Everyone is working hard together and trying new things.”

The team didn’t compete last year because they focused on getting more tumblers for competition.

This year they have 12 tumblers which will benefit them in competition, and they’ve put in a lot of time, even 8 hour practices, to help prepare for competitions.

Their first competition will be December 15th at Stevenson High School.

Senior and captain Linnea Virzi has been cheering since 1st grade and is now in her fourth year as a Leyden cheerleader.

She noted that, “this season we have been making a lot of great improvements, but we still need work.”

This year the cheerleading team got brand new equipment such as new uniforms, one for football games and one uniform for competition.

The squad also has brand new cheer mats and new cheer bags.

The varsity cheerleading team is starting off to a great season so far, and students can catch them in their pink Breast Cancer awareness shirts during next week’s home football game.

T-shirts are available for purchase in the student cafeteria beginning October 16.