Cheer coaches discuss how they lead, careers

Surrounded by poms in the air and music blasting throughout the arena, junior varsity cheerleading coach Emily Allen directs students during a pep rally. Heading onto the floor, she supports her team and puts her spirit, smile and energy toward getting the crowd going. Then, she carries those same strengths into the classroom and beyond. Allen, who has "always" been involved in team sports, serves a...

With a blur of arms and legs, the cheerleaders begin their chants. Voices raise from the crowd as fans add volume. Cameron Jones watches, enveloped by the noise as his cheer squad moves from one routine to the next.  Jones has been in cheerleading as both a team member and a coach for more than 20 years, with this one being his first as head cheer coach. He began his cheerleading career in hig...

The roar of the crowd and the sound of the buzzer spark adrenaline in Mariessa Mesa and the team she leads as they get ready to fulfill their role. Mesa, the freshman cheerleading coach, started coaching high school cheer for the first time this year. Last year, Mesa, who also helped sponsor student council, experienced her first year teaching in Prosper as she taught English 1. Previously, Mesa taught...