The South Lakes High School Hype Squad is the heart of the student cheering section at all the sports games as well as at other school events! It is what gets students pumped up and full of school spirit ready to cheer on their team, but what is behind all of the hype?

Although everyone knows of the hype squad, not many people know about them. Have you ever been at a football or basketball game, looked to your right and seen some students waving a flag or banging a drum? Well if you have, then you’ve seen the hype squad. The hype squad has been a part of South Lakes for a long time, and definitely comes with its traditions.

“I really like the paddle and the drum. The flag is pretty sick, it’s all beat up and duct taped together. It’s been here for fifteen years.” Hype squad leader Nate Owen says. These items have been in the SLHS hype squad for many years.

Many students rely on the hype squad to know when to cheer, what to cheer, what things to wear, and if a game has gotten canceled. Although the hype squad is a fun, exciting group, there is definitely responsibility that comes with it.

“You have to bring energy, even if the team is losing, it can get difficult if there is a bad play or something.” Nate explains.“It’s not pressure, it’s more like, ‘how can we bounce back and keep people engaged’.” Due to the influence that the hype squad has on the energy of the game, it’s important for them to be able to bounce back from a bad play, even a loss.

Although Covid seems to have changed just about everything, the hype squad has seemed to find a way to not let it affect their routines, besides the spontaneous game cancellations. They are able to continue just as they did in 2019.

“Because we’re outside, it doesn’t really matter. We can still do our own thing and if someone is sick, then they don’t come.” Nate adds. Luckily, students are still allowed to show support to the South Lakes teams, and carry on past years’ traditions.

SLHS athletics’ games are an imperative way to bring all grade levels together, and it would not be nearly as fun without the hype squad’s energy.