Boys Shine in Color Guard and Cheerleading at RBHS, Proudly Breaking Social Norms and Stereotypes

In a small corner of Riverside-Brookfield High School (RBHS), something extraordinary was recorded happening. Recently, Niamh Larson made history as the first girl to play varsity football, while two young men defied stereotypes with their unusual decisions. Proving that passion and talent know no gender boundaries, Anthony Pope and AJ Smith, the trailblazers of RBHS, have lately challenged conventional norms.

Anthony, a senior at RBHS, stood out as the first boy to ever join the color guard of the RBHS marching band. His journey had begun at Plano Senior High School in Texas, where Pope was part of a competitive marching band. While Anthony dazzled with the color guard, AJ Smith, another senior, shined in the glory of cheerleading. Co-captaining the varsity cheer team, Smith has seemingly gained inspiration from his sister. However, his passion enhanced amusingly in no time, delivering jaw-dropping feats at the team’s cheering events. 

Unconventional color guard gains appraisal 

Anthony’s skills immediately took the RBHS by storm, introducing a new level of creativity and showmanship to the color guards. His solo performances were seen during the halftime show at the school’s home football game. Pope depicted unimaginable prowess on the stage, where he flawlessly twirled, threw, and caught the flag effortlessly. Remarkably, every portrayal of his color guard act was undoubtedly nothing short of mesmerizing. 

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Mykayla Angshed expressed her appreciation for Anthony’s stunts, remarking, “He’s the best I’ve seen at RB in my four years.” Pope’s infectious passion for color guard helped him seamlessly blend in with the entire team, as recalled by Angshed. “He’s so passionate about what he does; he’s hard working, he’s a person you want to be around”, she added. His presence eventually went beyond just skills, as Anthony Pope’s bold choices marked an act of breaking gender stereotypes. 

Cheerleading enthusiast overcomes societal gender norms

While Anthony triumphed in promoting the idea that color guards are indeed for all genders, AJ Smith made people proud with his cheerleading ventures. Drawing his admiration for the sport from his sister Alexis, Smith started practicing with indomitable persistence. Alexis is an RBHS graduate and a former cheerleader, which ultimately helped Smith in his cheering career. Recalling his initial sessions, AJ mentioned, “It was very scary.” However, he quickly overcame these hesitations, finding his profound love for cheer dances. 

Smith’s incredible performances soon made him a source of pride as the only male cheerleader at RBHS. However, he is not only a co-captain but also a popular student who got chosen for the Homecoming Court. Currently, AJ is committed to coaching younger cheerleaders in the Bulldog Football and Cheer Association. Sparking joy in others just as his sister did for him, the passionate cheerleader shared his inspiring experience, quoting, “I’m proud of it, to be a cheerleader, especially being the only guy who is a cheerleader.”

Both Pope and Smith became champions of their passions, but their influence extends beyond RBHS. As for Anthony Pope, the future holds dreams of coaching a color guard team, while Smith aspires to coach professional cheerleading groups. He wishes to follow the path of the late RBHS cheerleading coach, Chris Borzym, who left a legacy that still continues to inspire. Unapologetically embracing such career paths, these boys have shattered typical high school norms, proving how determination always leads to achievement.

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