January’s “Team of the Month” is the Bloomington Raiders Pom Pon Squad from Bloomington High School. The team consists of 13 members and is under the direction of Coach Crystal Taylor. The squad performs at all boys home basketball games, a girls basketball game, and all pep assemblies. They will also attend and perform in competitions this month.
 
The Raider Pom Pons promote school spirit by wearing their warm-ups or cheer outfits on game day. The members post flyers throughout the school promoting a hip-hop clinic. Those who participate in the clinic are then afforded the opportunity to dance along side of the members of the squad. The team is very active in the community, performing at events such as Toys For Tots and participating in the “Walk for Alzheimer’s,” and presenting goody bags to those community members who also participated.
    
Every team member is required to help with fundraising. The girls raise money by selling candy bars, Butter Braids, coupon books, tickets for the hip-hop clinic, and making sandals for the craft show. The dancers’ favorite fundraisers are working as actors at the haunted house in Bloomington and selling duct tape for a dollar to anchor their principal to the wall during a game!
    
The Raider Pom Pons bond like family and create friendships by establishing team-building traditions. These traditions include huddling up after every practice and chanting “B-Town,” and praying before they take the floor to perform. The girls participate in multiple activities throughout the season that build team unity.
    
This year’s goals are to place in Nationals and improve on their technique as a team. In an effort to achieve these goals, the team practices every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with the guidance of Coach Crystal Taylor and choreographers. You can always count on the Bloomington Raider Pom Pons to have an energetic routine when they take the floor, whether it is during pep assemblies, games or in competition!