They’re spunky. They’re sassy. And they’ve got spirit.
They cheer their hearts out at high school football games, attend rigorous practices and travel to away games. But, these three students aren’t even on their respective teams. Yet.
Maddie Hardwick, Bailey Polk and Giselle Gutierrez are the elementary-age prodigies under the direction of the cheerleading squads at Plant City, Durant and Strawberry Crest high schools. Each girl got her start on the sidelines differently. But each follows a similar path in their quest to learn, improve their skills and, of course, have fun.
BAILEY POLK, DURANT
Bailey Polk, 7, got her first break into cheerleading while sitting in the office at Durant High School.
Bailey’s mother, Heather Polk, works as the athletic secretary. When coach Jessica Brower came into her office, she asked Bailey if she wanted to be the “assistant coach” for the day’s practice. By the end of practice, the Walden Lake second-grader’s charm scored her an invitation to participate as a guest cheerleader.
“My favorite thing about cheering is all about doing all the cheers,” Bailey said. “I think it’s fun being around all the high school girls, because they’re different ages.”
Bailey’s favorite cheer is “Gotta Hustle,” and she loves the jumps and fans.
“They’re kind of wild,” Bailey said. “(They make me) happy, because they yell and stuff, and it makes me want to cheer.”
The only roadblock she faces is the school’s mascot, a ferocious Cougar. She’s scared of it.
With one year’s previous experience on the Plant City Dolphins, Bailey’s skills are improving.
“She is doing great,” Brower said. “She has gotten so much better since the beginning of the year. I think she probably knows all of the words to all of our cheers.”
Bailey also serves as motivation for the team.
“She definitely holds the girls accountable,” Brower said. “If they slip and mess up or aren’t doing what they are supposed to be doing, she will let them know.
“Bailey certainly motivates them; she is always full of energy and ready to go,” she said. “She actually asked to go on our conditioning run at a recent practice. A 7-year-old conditioning— that was definitely motivation for all of us.”
MADDIE HARDWICK, PLANT CITY
Five-year-old Maddie Hardwick tumbles around her living room after gymnastics practice. The peppy princess is eager to show off her moves and cheers.
“We’ll blow you away,” Maddie recites as she blows a kiss. “We are the Raiders, and we are here to stay!”
It’s her favorite cheer as part of the Plant City High School cheer team. Maddie’s been cheering alongside the squad since the middle of last season. It was her babysitter and Plant City cheerleader, Cassidy Wright, who led to Maddie’s up close and personal experience with the team.
The Springhead Elementary kindergartner traveled with Cassidy to several team tournaments. That’s when the team decided to invite her to join as a guest cheerleader.
“It’s a good experience,” her mother, Melissa, said. “Kids don’t usually get to do those things.”
In addition practice and cheering at home games, Maddie also travels to away games, which are her favorite.
“They’re fun,” Maddie said.
Maddie had prior experience as an All-Star Stallion and started gymnastics when she was 3. She also attended Plant City’s cheer team’s summer clinics. Head coach Karen Snapp said Maddie’s skills keep growing.
“She’s actually very good for 5 years old,” Snapp said. “She’s very cute and very serious.”
Melissa, who took dance when she was young, wanted to get Maddie involved in a hobby early.
“Extracurricular stuff is good,” she said. “It makes them well-rounded. It’s helped her with her social skills. She talks to everyone; I can’t get her to stop.”
GISELLE GUTIERREZ, STRAWBERRY CREST
As a pageant-winning beauty queen and talented musician, Giselle Gutierrez, 9, had no problem picking up the spotlight-demanding sport of cheerleading.
Her spunky personalty earned her a spot as Strawberry Crest High School’s cheerleading squad mascot. Giselle’s sister, Marissa Gutierrez, was the assistant coach and put in a good word for Giselle. But, once that door opened, Giselle’s skills shined all on their own.
“Her sister would come home and do all the cheers,” her mother, Dora Gutierrez, said. “She learned them all. When they were looking for a mascot, she already knew the cheers.”
Giselle started gymnastics at 3 years old. A year later, she began cheering. She has worked for two years with Competitive Cheer, in Brandon, and with Florida All-Stars.
Competitive cheering is fun for the Bailey Elementary student, but she loves cheering for the high school football players, too.
“It might help them,” Giselle said of her cheers. “It encourages them.”
Giselle’s favorite cheer is “First Down,” and she can’t get enough of back handsprings. Giselle also enjoys all the new friends she has made.
“They’re really nice,” Giselle said. “If they make up new cheers during practice, they help me learn it. Or if I forgot something, they go over it with me.”
Giselle also plays drums and guitar with the Kids Rock program at school. She also enjoys piano, painting, pageants and designing clothes for her Barbies.
Giselle hopes to continue cheering when she gets to high school.
“She is a little stick of dynamite,” her father, Andy Gutierrez, said. “She sets her mind on a goal, and she is relentless.”