This past season cheer gained a valuable new addition to their team, Kameron Padgett. Padgett joined for his first season as a junior, becoming the only male team member.

Believe it or not, joining the cheer team was a very spontaneous decision for Padgett. After overhearing a discussion about cheer tryouts just two hours before they began, Padgett decided that he wanted to try out for the team, and now, Padgett is so grateful that he took a chance and tried out because he found something he loves.

“I really found my love for cheer throughout the season and just trying something new was great for me,” Padgett said.

Although Padgett loves the sport and being on the team, being the only guy on the team did not come without its challenges.

“It’s definitely nerve-racking for me ’cause the whole thing is a new experience… being the only boy on the team, it’s kind of hard to click with everyone else on the team,” Padgett said. “Overall [it was] hard socially, but I got over it by the end of the season.”

Despite any initial difficulties, Padgett was able to gain comfort throughout the season and build new bonds, while learning new skills.

“[My] favorite memory was learning how to do one-man stunts and going through that whole process,” Padgett said.

His effort was greatly appreciated by the team and he made a valuable asset.

“Although it was his first time cheering he was still willing to learn and try new things and step out of his comfort zone and I really think his being on the team will open the door for other boys that may want to cheer for Robinson,” Cheer Captain Sara Gainer (’23) said.

Padgett hopes to continue to advance his skills next year and so does the Competition Cheer Coach Bri Godfrey.

“It was definitely a learning experience for me just because I’ve never done co-ed cheer myself so I had to learn the differences,” Godfrey said. “But it was very fun to have him on the team and have that different dynamic and next year we’re going to do a lot more training to teach him higher level co-ed skills.”

In order to improve his skills and get ready for next season Padgett plans on learning more stunting and taking tumbling classes over the summer. He is looking forward to next season and has hopes of continuing his cheer career in college. Padgett plans on attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for aerospace engineering and hopes to join their cheer program.

His final message for any guys who are interested in joining the team is to just go for it.

“Don’t really think about being all feminine… Don’t think about the hate,” Padgett said. “It’s overall a fun sport and don’t worry about other people talking about you. The team will really support you all the way through.”

This story was originally published on RHS Today on March 9, 2023.