It’s halftime and the TMS Patriots Cheer Squad gets the crowd pumped up with their signature "Role Call" cheer.

The Tavares Cheer Squad practices every morning Tuesday through Friday in Mrs. Latta's room.  In order to become a cheerleader, all members had to have a completed doctor’s physical and attend every practice.

Sara Ferguson, a 7th grader on the squad said, "I personally think that the best part of being a cheerleader is getting to cheer at the games, so we help our basketball team win.”

Mrs. Latta, the cheerleading coach, is a 7th grade Language Arts teacher.  Her experience with cheerleading goes way back.  "I was a cheerleader in middle school and in high school," she said.

The cheerleading uniforms are pretty basic. Cheerleaders wear a blue t-shirt with the words "TMS Cheerleaders" on them, a red skirt, white sneakers, and red, white, and blue ribbons in their hair. According to the squad, it was $40 to use them and $50 to keep them.

There is no specific captain because it alternates each game. The cheers are all created by the girls on the squad.

Being the coach of the squad comes with a lot of responsibilities.  "I have to coordinate the paperwork, supervise games, and practices," said Latta.  

"She's always involved and tries to pump us up for the games," said Ferguson.