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04/02/2020 12:00 AMJess Armin felt a little nervous when she was about to compete for a spot on the All-Shoreline Conference Cheerleading Team. Jess, a junior at North Branford High School, knew that she would not only be performing in front of the judges, but all the coaches and her fellow athletes from around the conference as well.
During the skills section of the tryout, Jess performed a round-off tuck, hoping that would be enough to earn All-Shoreline honors. As more and more names got called, Jess started to become concerned that she hadn’t made the cut. However, the judges eventually called Jess’s name, solidifying her status as one of 10 cheerleaders who made this year’s All-Shoreline Conference First Team.
“I didn’t think I performed that well. When we started getting down to fifth place, I thought I did not get it. I thought there were other people who were maybe more qualified. I knew that every cheerleader who tried out did amazing,” Jess says. “It was really shocking and exciting knowing that among all these amazing cheerleaders, I was able to place that high.”
Jess has been a member of the North Branford cheer team for three years. She started participating in the sport in 3rd grade, then took a break until her final year of middle school. After getting back into it, Jess gained a newfound love for cheerleading and knew that she wanted to join her high school squad.
“A few of my close friends were doing it for youth, and I figured I would enjoy it, too, especially because I knew tumbling was a part of it,” says Jess. “I just really enjoyed the activities it includes. There’s stunting, which is like the challenge for cheer. You have to practice and practice until you become consistent, which is what I fell in love with. You have to keep practicing in order to get it right.”
Jess’s background in tumbling is a big asset to her as a cheerleader. Jess had previously spent time competing in dance, and that experience helps her perform the acrobatic moves in cheerleading. Jess attended New Era Gymnastics in Hamden when she was in middle school and still goes there once a week. With Jess’s tumbling skills in place, the Thunderbirds are able to execute more advanced stunts during their competitions.
“I enjoy tumbling, especially because I started it on my own. I was just doing it for fun,” Jess says. “The fact I can incorporate it into something I also enjoy is kind of like a bonus.”
Outside of tumbling, Jess also serves as a base for North Branford during the stunts that involve a flyer. Head Coach Jamie Slubowski says that Jess never lets her flyers hit the ground and provides a consistent foundation for the team during its aerial maneuvers.
“Her flyer has never ever hit the ground. I try and drill that into my girls’ heads: Your flyer can never hit the ground. With Jess, it has literally never happened,” says Slubowski. “Jess is always there saving it. Any stunt she has ever been in has been pretty successful.”
Jess was named a captain for North Branford heading into her junior season. Slubowski says the T-Birds’ athletes were unanimous in their support of Jess, and the coach agreed wholeheartedly.
Slubowski adds that Jess always brings a positive attitude to practice and goes out of her way to help her teammates learn from her example. In turn, Jess says that being a captain comes with its challenges, although they’re challenges that she embraces.
“It was kind of terrifying knowing the expectations that were expected of me, but then it was really exciting, because two of my friends who were seniors were captains previously, and they were helping me out,” Jess says. “Knowing that other people were looking up to me kind of hit the nerves a little bit, but I was excited, because I knew I could help other people navigate through the year.”
Jess describes herself as a perseverant cheerleader. No matter how difficult the training may get, Jess is always going to out there and try her best. As she looks toward her senior season, Jess says that she appreciates being able to compete alongside a great set of teammates at North Branford.
As an athlete, Jess is known for her tumbling ability and her work as a rock-solid base. However, she means much more than that to the Thunderbirds. Jess prides herself on being someone who is always ready to lend a hand, while making sure that everyone around her stays positive.
“Sometimes cheerleading gets exhausting, especially towards the end of the season. It’s really a long season and I know you can get tired going to the same place and doing the same routine,” says Jess. “But it’s easier to realize that we signed up for this and we have to stick with it. When people are in a better mood, it seems like a better environment. We don’t need a negative mindset when going into these competitions.”