Cheer coach Mallory Friday

Perfecting pointed toes and teaching new stunts and cheers is what soon-to-be substitute teacher and new head cheerleading coach Mallory Friday has to do.

“My sister-in-law went to school here,” Friday said. “She always raved about [the school] and it is a great school and district. I am glad that I am coaching cheer here.”

The cheerleaders think that the new coaches will bring some good change.

“Ms. Friday is a lot more pushy than our old coaches,” sophomore varsity cheer member Madison Plouvier said. “They adapted rather quickly. They put their own twist on our cheers. She wants the best for the team; you can really tell she does.”

Since Friday just started coaching the team in August, she has not had much exposure with the girls.

“We have only had practices and games,” Friday said. “So far we have had good experiences.”

Plouvier’s exposure to the coaches haven’t been that different from Friday’s.

“At the beginning, when they came in, it was rough,” Plouvier said. “Now that we are getting [into more of a routine], things are becoming more positive. By the time school gets out, things will be great.”

Friday wants every cheerleader to succeed in what they do. She also hopes that in doing so she can raise school spirit.

“I hope that the student body responds well,” Friday said. “The girls are out there cheering for all of the different sports. The student’s feedback is a big part of the girls doing well.”

Football coach Rick Pollard

Teaching offensive plays, keeping players in line and teaching special education students are all parts of offensive line coach Rick Pollard’s daily life.

“I came across the position for offensive coach because I used to coach boys track with coach Applebee’s aunt,” Pollard said. “I wanted to get the chance to work with coach Applebee.”

Pollard coached football and boys track at Pleasant Ridge High School for 14 years, and he also coached football at Pittsburgh State University for one year.

Pollard has been with the football team since the summer.

“So far, the kids have been good,” Pollard said. “They have put in a lot of hard work. It’s a little different from my old school.”

Student body feedback helps the players improve their skills.

“I want [the student body] to see a team that is aggressive,” Pollard said. “They should also see that we have the best offensive line in Kansas.”

Pollard would like the team to go on and win state.

“I want them to be as good as they can be,” Pollard said. “They need to be deep in the playoffs and win the state championship. All of the elements are there, we just need to utilize them and push ourselves.”

Dance coach Daley Reed

Having a life-long passion for dance is what persuaded fourth grade Mize Elementary teacher Daley Reed, to become the new head coach for the Silver Stars Dance team.

“I wanted to get involved with this district,” Reed said. “I went to Kansas State University with the De Soto High School dance coach and she said that the position was open. It’s perfect because I love to dance.”

Reed has been with the Silver Stars since the beginning of summer.

“We started out at the Emporia summer camp,” Reed said. “They did a regular dance routine and it’s the best they have done. They went to nationals and they received a long list of awards. We started summer techniques and it’s just been a really good experience so far.”

Since Reed has a background in dance, she hopes that the girls can learn techniques if they want to pursue it in college.

Reed said that when the student body gets involved, it gives the dancers better feedback and that when the students respond, the girls have better confidence.

The dancers like the changes that the new coach has brought.

“I love her,” senior Paige Hillebert said. “She has a positive attitude and she has really improved us. She pushes us to be better.”