'We feel a surge of emotions': How Chung-Ang's cheerleaders build camaraderie and pride

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'We feel a surge of emotions': How Chung-Ang's cheerleaders build camaraderie and pride

Published: 14 May. 2024, 18:11

LEE TAE-HEE
lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr

Members of Hurrah-C pose for a photo [HURRAH-C]

Cheering during sports matches not only helps players perform well but also enhances the game's atmosphere by boosting excitement at the scene. Chung-Ang University’s cheering squad, Hurrah-C, plays a pivotal role in this regard.

Officially named the university's cheering squad in 1979, Hurrah-C has been engaging in cheering activities ever since.

Hurrah-C not only cheers at the annual university league sports games but also actively participates in various university events.

The university's spring and fall festivals, freshman orientation programs, training sessions, leadership forums and graduation ceremonies are some examples of events where Hurrah-C performs to strengthen solidarity among students.

Participating in many events, practice is one of the most important aspects. Even during vacations, regular practices are held twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. Practice takes place in the Hurrah-C practice room on the basement third floor of Building 310. New members spend their time learning the choreography of cheer songs or rehearsing previously learned ones.

Visiting the practice room to try practicing with Hurrah-C members, the first task was to learn their most basic steps and moves.

After mastering the basics, practice then moved on to learning the choreography for the easiest cheer song, the “Chung-ang Allez.” The song is made up of basic steps and moves and was quite easy to follow.

The reporter tries on Hurrah-C's uniform [OH SU-AH]

After learning all the choreography, the reporter was also able to change into the cheer squad's uniform worn for basketball games.

To further understand what the cheer squad does, The Chung-Ang Herald sat down with members of the 2024 Hurrah-C squad for an interview.

Interviewees include the squad captain Byeon Su-yeon, a student at the university's Department of Business Administration, and squad members Lee Yu-jin from the Department of Psychology, Kwon Hee-young from the Department of Economics, Hong Su-a from the Department of Architecture and Kang Seo-yeon from the Department of Psychology.

What activities does Hurrah-C engage in?

Byeon: Hurrah-C is the official cheering squad of Chung-Ang University. We cheer at various student activities, including school games and events like the Lucaus Cheering Yard. We also perform at events outside the school and produce video content.

At what moments do you feel proud as a member of Hurrah-C?

Lee: I think as members of Hurrah-C, we feel a surge of emotions when the audience sings along, chants the school cheer and moves along with us while enjoying our performances. While it's great to have them quietly appreciate our cheers, the most rewarding moment is when they actively engage with us, jumping and cheering along, as we are a cheerleading squad.

Kang: I believe Hurrah-C is unique in directly promoting the school's principles and cheers to fellow students on campus. I feel proud that I'm helping uphold the school's tradition since [the club started in] 1979. There's a sense of exhilaration, especially during moments on stage when we chant the school cheers with our fellow students.

Hurrah-C members pose for a photo during the welcoming event for the university's College of Business & Economics freshmen. [HURRAH-C]

Do you have any particularly memorable performances?

Byeon: I remember my first performance when I was a new member. The moment I heard the prelude of the cheer song "Visang," I felt like my heart was going to burst with excitement.

Kang: Every stage holds significance in my memory. If I were to pick one, it would be the recent performance at the Humanities College's freshmen welcoming event. It was the first time I performed the song "To You." That was the reason I applied to Hurrah-C, to actively perform amid people cheering. The enthusiastic response from the freshmen made the performance even more exciting.

What are some challenges you face while being part of Hurrah-C?

Kwon: To perform for 20 minutes on stage, Hurrah-C members put in a lot of time and effort. It requires training for over six hours per week during the semester and over 12 hours per week of extensive training during [summer and winter] breaks. While each practice session can be physically demanding, once we step onto the stage, all the exhaustion fades away!

Lee: The most challenging aspect is the time commitment required for practice. Since Hurrah-C performs on a large stage, members dedicate a significant amount of time to practice together. This often leads to sacrificing part-time jobs, social commitments with friends or other activities. However, I believe that the time invested in Hurrah-C is worth it, which is why I continue to be active in the squad.

Hurrah-C members perform during last year's Lucaus festival [SCREEN CAPTURE]

What does Hurrah-C mean to you?

Byeon: To me, Hurrah-C embodies the essence of college life. If I were to illustrate a page of my college life, it would be filled with my passion and dedication to Hurrah-C.

Kwon: Hurrah-C represents the dream and challenge of university life for me. Fulfilling and enjoying the dream I've had since childhood of being part of a cheerleading squad is really amazing. On the other hand, being part of the cheerleading squad while trying my best to represent Chung-Ang University requires passion and responsibility. It is a continuous test for me.

Hong: Hurrah-C is my most precious youth, shining brightly and making me passionate.

This article has been contributed by Oh Su-ah of The Chung-Ang Herald, an English-language publication from Chung-Ang University.

BY STUDENT REPORTER OH SU-AH [suahoh@cau.ac.kr]