From the desk of Wally Dawkins, Athletic Director:

I am not a Texas A&M fan.

At least not in the sense that my weekend’s happiness is determined by what the “Aggs” do on Saturday afternoons. I also don’t care much for the sound they make when someone says “Texas A&M” or “Aggies”. I have never figured out if they are saying “Whoop” like they are happy about it… or if they are saying “Woops” like they made a mistake.

But I tell you what I do like; I really do like their school spirit.

If I were graduating from high school this year, I would go to Texas A&M just so I could sit in the student section at the home football and basketball games.  The students’ energy, enthusiasm, and loyalty is totally awesome. It’s infectious!

I would attend Texas A&M so I could do all those cool cheers, make weird hand jive gestures, and watch the yell leaders wearing their white “ice cream” suites, as they lead the entire student body in group chants and yells that every Aggie in the bleachers knows by heart.

I would go to Texas A&M just so I could join in the cheer led by “visor guy” during the 4^th Quarter of home football games, or so I could watch The Corp as they impressively parade around the stadium prior to kickoff.

The school spirit at A&M makes you want to “be one of them”. Texas A&M students both past and present, are proud of who they are, and they are proud of their school.

So maybe I am a fan…maybe.

Tiffany Hubbard is the Cheerleading Coach at Brook Hill. In just three years, Coach Hubbard has transformed our Brook Hill Cheerleaders into one of the top cheer squads around.  Twenty-two girls now wear the crisp white uniforms trimmed in orange and navy blue, while leading cheers from the sidelines at varsity games.

But something else has happened too.  And it has caused many of us who have noticed to pay attention.

Coach Hubbard has created in our girls, an attitude that the term “cheerleader” means much more than just wearing a cute uniform, leading chants while holding a megaphone, or standing in front of a large crowd of people and being the center of attention.

Cheerleaders at Brook Hill, although great at cheering, have also learned the meaning and importance of the second half of that word which is… “Leader”.

Our cheerleaders, who are also some of the best athletes on campus, have dedicated themselves to not receive cheers, but to cheer for others.  Not only do Brook Hill Cheerleaders cheer for others, they are constantly doing for others.  Whether it is the simple things like making locker tags, or painting signs for the gym or the field, they also mentor the Lower School girls, teaching them what it means to be a Brook Hill Cheerleader…and leader.  Our cheerleaders do service projects like serving food to veterans, and provide candy and snacks to all of our athletic teams.  Many times providing those items at their own expense.

Whether it’s in the stands of Herrington Gymnasium on Tuesday nights leading our awesome student section during home Volleyball games, or on the sidelines every Friday night cheering for our Football players, our BH Cheerleaders this year have set the bar high for future cheerleaders.

The bar our cheerleaders have set high involves leadership, serving others, supporting others, and being role models for the cheerleaders of tomorrow at The Lower School.

I am proud of Coach Hubbard and the job she has done, and equally proud of all our cheerleaders at Brook Hill who wear the uniform with pride and grace.

One thing I am certain of!  I am a fan of Brook Hill and The Brook Hill Cheerleaders!

So here is one for you girls!

2 Bits…4 Bits…6 Bits a dollar, all for Brook Hill Cheerleaders…Stand Up and Holler!  YEAH!

And that’s another reason to be “ALL ORANGE…All The Time.”