Everyone’s seen Pom hype up the crowd at games, but there’s a whole side of the team Skyline hasn’t seen – until now.
The Pom team has been performing for years at games and competitions all over Michigan. While the audience sees the clean routines under the Friday night lights and on the competition stage, what happens during long hours of practicing and behind the scenes is an untold story. Those perfectly crafted routines take not only athleticism but endless hours of teamwork, learning counts, and maintaining high energy even when it’s hard.
“We have to practice multiple times a week,” said Pom Member Maybree Love (‘27). “It’s a lot of hard work and dedication.”
Pom requires more than just showing up gameday ready. Even though Pom is often mistaken for just spirited sideline dancing, the Pom team here at Skyline represents the school with pride.
Before every practice, to warm up Pompon has a 15 minute long dance routine that the team learned from Mid-American Pom. Mid-American Pom is a year round pompon/dance team that offers summer camps, overnight camps, and dance/pompon competitions. This routine gets Pom warmed up and prepared for precise formations, synchronization, leaps, jumps, and kicks.
Whether performing at games or competitions, they show what it means to lead with spirit and teamwork. The girls balance their academic workload with practices, community events, and even pep rallies, a commitment that takes both physical and mental strength.
“The community and the team itself are really close as a whole, and always have been.” said Teammate Annika Darrugh (‘27).
Each team member has a unique skill or talent. Some unique skills these girls have is flexibility, body control, stamina, and strong rhythm. When one can’t do something, there’s always another willing to help; that’s what makes Pom a sisterhood.
“So…generally, most people get ready together. You don’t have to, but it’s a lot less [fun] than if you do,” said Love. “So [we] get ready in the locker room and do our hair and stuff together, and [for football games] we make a banner for… the game.”
There are a lot of workouts and weight training days that keep the girls in shape for competitions. They focus on endurance, flexibility, and strength, essential strategies for keeping routines sharp. A number of girls on the team have said Pom helps them stay fit, particularly during their off-season.
“I am a competitive dancer outside of school,” said Kaitlyn Rodriguez (‘27). “And [during] pom we compete, so I can do [pom] during my off-season to stay in shape.”
Pom isn’t just a performance, it’s a family, a workout, and a representation of Skyline pride. You can catch Pom at the next home football game, cheering on our Eagles from the sidelines and bringing the energy that makes every Friday night unforgettable.
Note: the writer was a Pom member during the 24-25 season
