Salem Cheerleaders Bring the Spirit In and Out of Games

By: Alaysia Williams

Ever wondered who gets the crowd hyped when our Spirits are up against their opponents? It could only be Salem College’s cheer team! The team was created during the 2023-2024 academic year. The team may be fairly new, but the energy is all there as they wow the crowd with their powerful cheers.

This year, the cheer team is once again coached by Renee Foster, who is a WSSU graduate. She was a cheerleader during her time in college, and when she graduated, she went on to coach the same cheer team. Foster now coaches the Salem cheer team with the best intentions of bringing them to the next level, which she hopes to be competitive cheer.

I sat down with senior cheer vet Melanie Téllez and first-year cheerleader Starr Odebiyi and asked them a few questions regarding this season. When asked about how she felt with this being her first year on the cheer team, Odebiyi said, “I feel good about it, it’s a cool and new experience for me.” Téllez described being a senior on the team as “bittersweet.” She has enjoyed her time being a part of the small but mighty team and will miss working with her peers and coach. Téllez’s advice for rookie members of the team is that they build a routine, discipline themselves, make sure they’re eating and sleeping well, and to stay on top of their education. Most importantly, she said, “It’s okay to say no when it comes to anything- friends, family, and even cheer, because at the end of the day, you come first.”

 Odebiyi described the team as “a sisterhood because everyone is nice and looks out for each other.” Téllez explained, “Everyone wants to see you in the uniform, so there’s pressure to perform in and out of that uniform. Cheer has helped me physically with the stretches we do before practice, and mentally because it gave me a good routine. I love that they implemented team bonding this year because it helped me and the team get to know one another and rely on each other for nearly everything. This helps you with appreciating your teammates, and they begin to hold a spot in your heart because we all go through the same pressure of being a Salem College cheerleader.”

Be on the lookout for this amazing team as they show their spirit at basketball and volleyball games, as well as guest appearances at other sporting events. Make sure to follow their Instagram,  @Salemspiritscheer.

Salem College Cheerleaders Cheering

Photo By: Avery Bissette