by Madi Hayter |

The next generation of Sapphires was born on September 20th when the annual Sapphire Clinic took place. The clinic helps prepare girls K-5th to be Sapphires. This year they did a pom dance to the summer hit, “Call Me Maybe,” by Carly Rae Jepson. Senior Macayla Witt choreographed this year’s dance.

“It’s for kids who want to learn the technique to make the Sapphire team when they get older,” sophomore Brittany Holtzclaw said. Brittany added, “the first graders work on basic technique, and slowly build up on their technique.”

Not only will this clinic benefit the children, but it will make the Sapphire team stronger in the future.

“You figure out what is required for the team, and what we need to know,” junior Mikaela Vittoria said.

For the freshmen on Sapphires who are in National Junior Honor Society, this benefits them in their volunteer hours. It also benefits the Sapphires, who are in National Honor Society or other community service clubs, because the time they spend teaching is counted for their service hours.

“It will go towards National Honor Society, and A+ Program.” Witt said.

Last year, this event was a huge success with 30 to 40 girls participating in the clinic, from across the Liberty school district. With such a large group the clinic is held in the gym. To start off the day, the girls are split into groups based on their grade. They then start receiving instructions, and dance techniques, from the current varsity and junior varsity Sapphire members.

“The clinic is a great way for the Sapphires and cheerleaders to serve as positive role models for the young students in Liberty.  The high school girls enjoy the experience of sharing something they are passionate about doing and hope that their love for their sport rubs off onto the younger students.  The elementary students love the one-on-one attention from the high school students.  Both young and older also enjoy the opportunity to show their school spirit and community involvement.” Coach Willis said.

The process of the camp is consists of a few steps. Each of the group’s captains chooses a song and creates the choreography. The second step is for the rest of the group to be taught the dance.  Finally, it is time for the clinic and the girls to show what they worked on for the past two days and perform.

“Parents come; some Sapphires parents come because we dance in it. People invite their grandparents, it’s just fun for them,” Vittoria said.

The kindergartners through eighth graders learn both a pom cheer and a dance.

“The clinics are simply fun for all.  The elementary students have an opportunity to learn, grow and have a blast doing it, while the older girls are reminded about the positive and powerful impact they make each and every day.” Coach Willis said.

“We usually try to pick a common song, like a pump up song. We mainly do jazz and pom, since that’s what we’re known for, sometimes we’ll do hip-hop, but we don’t really do any slow music.” Vittoria said.

Therefore making this more enjoyable for all of the girls.

This learning experience helped educate these girls on what it is like to be a Sapphire. They learned how to master their technique, this taught the possible future Sapphires how to be a part of the team.