LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Los Alamitos is home to Friday Night Lights, a program for youth flag football and cheer. With the upcoming fall season, FNL cheer is seeking volunteers to help coach. FNL cheer is filled with young girls within the community learning the basics of cheerleading. Coaches give guidance to the girls by helping them learn the routines and cheers.
“I joined FNL cheer because I really want to help support the community by teaching young girls,” said McKayla Monroe, a LAHS sophomore.
FNL Cheer is a beneficial resource for volunteer hours and experience. Annette Morris, FNL Cheer Director, has worked with the volunteers for years, even giving job references and recommendations.
“It’s developmental that (volunteers) learn how to respect each other, respect the little kids and the adults,” said Morris, “It’s also developmental for the young kids to learn these from coaches.”
Over the years, students at Los Alamitos High School have taken advantage of the program’s benefits. The amount of experience students get from volunteering helps set them up for their future careers.
“My favorite thing about coaching cheer to young girls would be watching them learn while growing a bond with them,” said Hailey Wilson, another LAHS sophomore.
FNL holds girls in elementary school, and some even in early middle school. Coaches can work with an abundance of age groups. The seasons consist of three per year, including fall, spring and summer. In-season coaches will assist with practice, games and uniform passouts.
The practices are held in Los Alamitos on Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m. Practices involve coaches guiding the girls through cheers and dances, while helping them stay on task. The games are held on Fridays also in Los Alamitos, from around 5-7 p.m. In games, coaches stay on the sideline with the girls, coaching them on cheers and dances.
During the games and practices, coaches not only help coach the girls but also bond with them. To many of the girls, coaches are mentors and influential. The time spent with other young volunteers can teach valuable skills in reliability and coordination.
For any LAHS students looking for volunteer positions, consider FNL cheer. The benefits of being a young girl’s cheer coach are endless!
