One can see the spirit the Regis Jesuit High School Poms team has simply by watching them confidently walk into a gym for a game or a pep-rally. Their red and white outfits display the school colors and are topped off with plenty of rhinestones and a big bow, but their smiling faces display school spirit. However, what one does not see from their confident walk or their rattling pom-poms, is their dedication to what they do. That, is something one needs to see through their perfectly put-together routines. Every turn and leap more and more sharp and precise than the last.

The very talented Regis Jesuit Varsity Poms team is made up of seniors: Kelsey Dickinson, Rachel Gustafson, Whitney McDonald, Noelle Tomsic, and Maddi Weisiger; juniors: Billie Bain, Malia Jackson, Anna Lis, and Mika Nagamoto; sophmore, Ellen Tschatschula and freshman, Maria Rossi.

This past Friday, December 6th, people had the opportunity to see the talent of the Regis Jesuit Varsity Poms team at their state competition. The team was able to show their family, friends, other teams, and judges, how hard they had worked. The team confidently entered the Denver Coliseum with their new red pom-poms in hand. They had been practicing their routine for state for numerous hours each week since they had learned it in August. One of the four-year-varsity Poms’ members, Maddi Weisiger ’14, spoke of their hard work and said that they practice at least seven and a half hours each week, and take two team classes on the side which help with technique. Each performance that the RJ Poms gives shows how dedicated and hard-working each of them are.

Noelle Tomsic ’14 expressed how nervous she was for State just hours before the competition. Her nerves, however, did not overcome her excitement to show what the team had been working so hard on. Another feeling that came with the state competition was sadness. A few RJ varsity pom seniors expressed their sadness that it would be their last state competition. 

Last year, the varsity team moved up to the 5A division. A few dancers spoke of how this was good for the team because there was more competition and this year, they were pushed to become an even better team. This division change also kept the girls dancing the best they could all season long.

Although the team did not make it to where they hoped, Weisiger said that she could not have asked for a better last State with her team. Her positive attitude displays is an outstanding example of what Regis Jesuit stands for. “We gave everything we had during our dance and performed our best. We went out there and danced for each other and our coaches and have no regrets about our performance. I could not be any prouder of how my team performed at State,” Weisiger states.

Finally, Weisiger ends her interview with a few words of advice for any future RJ Pommers. She says to perform in ever competition like it is your last because each competition creates amazing moments and memories. Confidently, Weisiger shows her leadership and her dedication as a senior “Pommer” and states: “work as hard as you can at every practice because you will not regret working too hard. Show those other teams what Regis Jesuit Poms is made of! Want it, Fight it, Win it. AMEN!”