by Julie Waner

A cheerleader is the envy of other high school girls, but is all the glamour worth the cost?

With every sports activity comes some expenses, whether it be for outfits, gear, or equipment, but cheerleaders foot the bill for entirely different reasons: pleasing football players.

It’s really no surprise; after all, North Scott is big into sports—especially football. Not counting the expenses each girl has to pay for herself, they are expected to motivate them in pricey ways.

Each senior cheerleader is assigned to one or two senior football players and are expected to shower them with gifts over the season. For each game, home and away, the girls must buy, decorate, and fill goody bags for them, filled with everything from energy drinks to beef jerky.

Each bag costs about $10; over this season, some cheerleaders will spend as much as $200 on presents. “Oh my Jesus,” said senior cheerleader Holly Nelson, “I’ve spent so much money so far!”

Along with the bags, the cheerleaders also take their seniors out to breakfast during Homecoming week. Senior Cheerleader Marissa Williams said, “It honestly wouldn’t bother me to do it if they did something for us just once.”

And for those who just can’t afford it? Bluntly, they are told to just “figure it out.”

So, be prepared: if you sign up to cheer, be ready to drop some coin.