Quiet was broken on Saturday afternoon as students from BCC, Watkins Mill, Blair, Whitman, Richard Montgomery, Clarksburg, Quince Orchard and Paint Branch all came together at Blake High School to support their respective schools’ poms teams in this year’s final competition for poms teams.

The competition started off with Division II teams competing for the first place trophy before the Division III poms teams battled it out for the top spot.

Paint Branch’s section was fired up throughout the whole competition, always showing support for our poms team even before they took the stage. A few members from Paint Branch’s cheerleading team even made an appearance in order to pump up the crowd as did PB Principal Dr. Rogers, who came out to support the girls in their final competition of the season.

After teams performed, the intermission period served as a fine opportunity for each school’s team and fans to show just how much school spirit they actually possessed. Schools chanted cheers as they worked to pump up the crowds.

During each team’s performance, they employed a variety of musical genres to accompany their routines and to show off their skills on the dance floor.

Paint Branch was the final team to compete, and their performance showcased a series of spins and toe touches. Senior Poms Captain Moisha Sajus led her team onto the floor, while the school’s drum line played an introductory song. After tossing away the whistle, the Lady Panthers began. As they finished up their routine, all but Sajus left the floor. Sojus then showed off her moves to the judges.
PB’s Poms only had a few days of practice but were able to put the whole routine together within a couple days and felt happy to have been able to “put it all out on the floor,” as senior pom Alexis Akorolo saoid.

Though the Poms team was not able to place, they still walked away with the Most School Spirit Award and an assurance from their captain that “we’re gonna get them next time.”

The Lady Panthers would like to thank everyone who came out and supported the team in this competition. According to the team, without encouragement from their supporters, they wouldn’t have been able to win the Spirit Award.