June 22, 2011
Edmonton Eskimos
Taylor’s Blog – Eskimo Cheer Team
Only a few short days until Game 1! Since March, we have been perfecting every pirouette, basket toss and chant all in preparations for the big day… our first game!
As a rookie, I was unfamiliar with the excitement the vets had been portraying…until now! I can feel the excitement throughout our team, coaches, alumni and our Junior-Esks, Minis and Ladies.
Through this anticipation, we have connected and grown together not only as a team but as a family. The vets are always there to help out when it comes to “first-performance-jitters”. The coaches are there to support everyone and make sure our routines are show-time ready. The alumni provide us with additional support, advice and of course instructional assistance. The Junior-Esks, Esks-Minis and Esks-Ladies are our inspiration…their spirit and enthusiasm is what made all of this seem so real!
Our performance for the Unveiling Party was when I really started to feel the excitement for the first time. We were performing in front of 700 people, giving our all and cheering each other on. At that moment, I was filled with such inspiration and gratitude for such an amazing opportunity like this. I thought if the Unveiling Party could be that exciting I can’t imagine what the first game will be like! I know for a fact that every rookie was thinking the exact same thing. The vets, on the other hand, had a look of a reminiscent enthusiasm on their faces, as if to say to us rookies, “Just wait, it only gets better.”
After we performed together for the first time there was this amazing buzz of energy flowing through our team. We felt that connection through each other and have maintained it since.
We held a practice within the Stadium last Sunday. Another reminder to pinch myself and say, “Wow this is happening”. The reality of the size of our beautiful stadium left me in awe! Looking up into the stands and imagining how it will look on game day was the most amazing feeling ever. Imagining performing in front of thousands of fans is enough to get any cheerleader pumped up for game day!
I am so excited to represent an amazing organization that is so respected within the community .Words cannot describe my love for this wonderful city and the amazing people in it. I feel so proud and lucky to perform for the EE fans, inspire younger generations and give back to our hometown.
Every time I chant, cheer and perform at practice I can’t help but feel butterflies for the first time we step out on the field as a family. We have been working together so hard in our countless practices since March, it’s hard to believe that our moment is finally here!
See ya Friday at the game!