Helen, high school senior, on the cusp of graduation, and the Templeton High School Spirit Squad Captain, surveys her team. Six squad members plus herself, none cool enough to be cheerleaders, musical enough for marching band, or coordinated enough for field sports. But they are here, they are eager, and they are her team. And that is what matters.
“You’ve done good,” she says, pacing before them, “Waving flags and carrying banners and dancing.” They are in uniform, form-fitting leotard body suits, black with blue stripes and white stars. “We are a small team, but we are mighty, and the school sees that.” She stops, turns, heads the opposite direction.
“Which is why,” she continues, “We have been given the special opportunity to lead school spirit at next week’s assembly.” She lets that sink in, hears the murmurs of excitement. “I know!” she grins, eyes sparkling, “Us! Not the Cheerleaders or the Pep team or the Band. Spirit Squad!”
“So what are we going to do?” says Mia, her best friend since second grade and unofficial Spirit Squad second in command, “They’ve already seen our ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ routine, and that’s the best we’ve got!” Mia is a quiet girl, a redhead, who always earns straight A’s.