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10/10/2019 12:00 AMMaia Thompson signed up for soccer, softball, and cheerleading when she was four years old. Maia liked cheerleading the best of the group, and she’s been participating in the sport ever since. Maia came up through the East Haven youth program, continued cheering in middle school, and is now a senior captain for the Yellowjackets.
“I loved cheer, so I decided to stick with it,” says Maia. “I’ve always loved dancing and doing things like that. My older cousins were cheerleaders, so they taught me things at home before I was old enough to do them with the team. They inspired me. I wanted to be like them.”
At first, Maia found that the leap from middle school to high school was difficult, although she wound up fitting in quite nicely with the team. However, Maia encountered a setback when she dislocated her left elbow as a sophomore and was sidelined for the entire season.
“My freshman year was a big wakeup call for how different high school cheer was from middle school cheer. I picked it up pretty quickly, but I missed my sophomore year because of an injury,” Maia says. “I went to a tumbling class, did a back handspring, and tore a ligament in my elbow. I couldn’t do anything.”
It was a tough situation for Maia to have sit out her sophomore year. Still, Maia did everything she could to show her teammates that she was committed to the Easties.
“I went to all the practices and games,” says Maia. “Even though I was just sitting there, I went to everything, because I wanted to show the team I was dedicated and supportive, even if I couldn’t be out there. I made sure everyone knew I was there for them and cheering them on.”
Maia returned to the team with a clean bill of health in her junior year. This fall, the senior is leading East Haven as the lone captain on Head Coach Michelle Maru’s squad.
“Maia has been a role model to the girls and is also a strong leader who has made a big impact,” Maru says. “Maia was out because of an injury her sophomore year, but came back her junior and senior years stronger than ever. She brings a positive attitude with a strict work ethic, and we enjoy watching her lead the team.”
Maia loves holding the role of captain. The team means so much to Maia, and it’s a dream come true for her to lead the Yellowjackets on the mat.
“I feel like I really encourage the girls to do better and improve themselves. I try to cheer them up, because I know they’re trying the best they can,” says Maia, who was also a captain for her middle school team. “They all know I’m there to talk and be supportive of them. I try to make sure everyone knows to try their hardest and never give up.”
Maia is excited to see what’s in store during the competition season this winter. Maia also likes supporting her friends while cheering on East Haven’s football and basketball teams at their contests.
“I love competition season, because our team is together all the time, but I also like football season. I love cheering at the games and doing halftime,” Maia says. “I think I like it better because, especially at home games, we have a big crowd, we see our friends, and we’re watching our football and basketball teams. I know people on both, so it’s nice to see our friends doing well, and you’re there to cheer them on.”
Maia isn’t sure if she is going to continue cheering in college. Regardless of what the future holds, Maia knows that her involvement with the East Haven cheerleading program has truly been something special.
“I think I improved the way I cheer and my overall technique and what I can do,” says Maia. “Overall, I’ve always been dedicated, supportive, and there for my team.”