After countless hours of practice and late night rehearsals, the Grand Valley State University Pompon Team turned into a sisterhood. On Nov. 3, the team will head to Saginaw Valley State University for the Mid-American High Kick and Dance Championship.

The team began preparation for the competition in March with tryouts that brought 13 new members to the group. Each new girl was paired with a returning member, who was given the role of a mentor, otherwise known as “big sister.”

GVSU Pompon President Devan Dodge said bonds were formed due to the pairing, which gave the competition aspect a stronger meaning.

“It is not just a sport. It is about bonding with people who enjoy doing the same thing you love. We are more than just teammates, we are family,” said pompon member Catarina Romano.

After making the bonds, the members have been able to be honest with one another—making it easier to encourage and critique, Dodge said.

“We are a very cohesive bunch,” Dodge said. “Practices get extremely frustrating and they are very hard and time consuming. It is good to actually have girls that feel like family to you there because when you are frustrated you don’t want to take it out on them.”

The team will compete against other colleges in Michigan such as SVSU, Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, University of Michigan and Atomic Pom.

“I just keep telling the girls put every ounce of sweat, blood, tears, whatever it takes to make themselves feel on Sunday that they have given it their all and they couldn’t give anything else out on the floor,” Dodge said.

The team will get to perform their routine once for a panel of judges.

“No matter win or lose, I know you can always count on family,” Romano said. “Family is going to be there for you at the end of the day so no matter what the scores are on Sunday. I know that as long as we know we performed our best that we are going to love each other, be there for each other and keep on moving on just like any other family would.”
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