For Great Bend senior cheerleader Heidi Jording, this season is all about growth and leaving her mark. “My goal this season is to become a better cheerleader all-around,” Jording said. “I want to become the best leader I can be for my team, work hard to improve on new skills, and make the most out of my senior season!”
That leadership role is something she has embraced fully. “Leadership is definitely a big role I play as a part of the team,” she explained. “I do everything I can to make the team better and stronger. Other important roles I play are community representation and being a role model, especially to the underclassman and/or new team members.”
Jording says the team’s energy and attitude have stood out this year. “The team’s morale this year has been positive as we continue to grow and develop together,” she said. “The biggest improvement I have recently seen this year from the team has been our teamwork and communication.”
With such progress, the Panthers are focused on their overall development and impact on the school. “A few of our goals as a team are to improve on skills at every practice and build a positive atmosphere and school spirit for games and pep assemblies,” Jording said. “We are working to improve these skills by working as a team and staying open minded to new ideas.”
Energy has become their defining trait. “I believe the team’s biggest strength right now is definitely our energy,” she said. “We go out to games with smiles on our faces, ready for any challenges we have to face, and love hyping up the crowd!”
When it comes to routines, Jording takes a technical approach. “Whenever I learn new choreography, the thing I pay most attention to is the technique. I LOVE sharp motions!” she said. Before taking the floor, she makes sure she’s both calm and prepared. “I prepare myself before a routine by taking deep breaths and running over everything in my head one last time before I perform,” she said. “I come from a competitive cheer background, and I know as long as I put in the effort of practicing then everything will be alright.”
Looking back, one moment still stands out. “My favorite memory in a GBHS cheer uniform has to be performing at my first varsity game my freshman year,” Jording said. “It is still one of my favorite routines to this day!”
When her time at Great Bend ends, Jording has big plans. “I want to leave behind a legacy of kindness, support, and someone who made a positive impact on the people around me once I graduate Great Bend,” she said. “After high school, I plan to cheer at Barton Community College. Then after, go on to study interior design at a university and hopefully, continue my cheerleading career.”
