I first stepped foot onto the glossy gym floor at the Sion vs St. Teresa’s basketball game. I was nine years old, the age where any high school student seemed intimidating yet awe inspiring.
Along with a handful of grade school friends, I anxiously took my seat across from the student section. I will never forget the image of the crowd disguised in red white and blue, spotted with George Bush masks.
The theme was America.
I observed the swarm harmoniously roaring a chant, my eyes locked on the girls commanding the crowd. The scream team leaders fearlessly bounced around, shrieking, chanting, screaming.
Immediately following, I was determined to become like those thrilled commanders draped in patriotic streamers. I was determined to become a scream team leader.
Eight years full of taxing meltdowns, a thick and extensive awkward stage, and essential moments of self-discovery had come and gone, and finally it was my time. I sat in a chair in the closed quarters of the library behind librarian Jenny Campbell’s desk with the scream team leaders of 2012, and the club representatives. I nervously fidgeted with my sion ring and occasionally wiped my clammy hands off on my skirt. The interview. My destiny of the following year rested solely on the next 20 minutes ahead.
Ten girls, crammed into the Ratisbonne room, anxiously awaited the announcement. Michelle Schlitzer, assistant office manager and scream team sponsor, entered the room. She thanked all of us for our interest in becoming scream team leaders. I uneasily settled between two of my friends on the cramped couch in the corner. My eyes locked on my hands in my lap while they read off the list. Jane Crook. Audrey Saracini. And Meg Cowan.
It was my chance and I was more than up to the task. I hugged my friends and walked to my car, excited to get home and tell my family the good news.
I spent the summer brainstorming, note taking and eagerly anticipating my senior year.
Sept. 5 arrived. This day was not like any other Wednesday. It was the day of the first Sion vs. St. Teresa’s home game. The first Spirit Night. With the help of Mrs. Christina Broderick, the new Head of School, teachers were asked to not give homework that night.
Jane, Audrey and I chose a Sparta theme, a historical war theme with an intimidation factor necessary to take on our rivals. After wrapping countless sheets and painting countless faces, we were ready. Along with around 250 students, I took my position at the front of the mob arranged right outside the gym doors.
An eerie tune hummed through the speakers surrounding the gym. The lights turned off and the doors shut. We, the Spartan Army, then waited for the musical climax. We burst through the doors, sprinting, screaming, hollering. The colossal crowd filed into the stands.
As I took my place as leader, conducting cheers and pumping up the spirit, I looked across the gym and saw the place I sat nine years ago. It was the seat where my dreams formed, and the gym where my dreams came true.