After one of Franklin Road Academy's cheerleaders injured her neck, a replacement cheerleader was needed for the to fill her spot during FRA's traditional Homecoming pep rally. A male cheerleader was chosen to fill the empty space.
The senior captions of the cheerleading squad Kate Harley, Allison Grant, and Rachel Kerr decided that Matthew McFarland, senior and competitive cheerleader, would fit the part. "We were so excited that Matthew was willing to help all of us out during this tough time. It's really difficult to do our dances and lifts without one of the girls. Matthew was a great help," said Harley.
Adding McFarland to the squad was something new to see at FRA because it was the first time in school history that FRA had a male cheerleader. "I'm happy that I was chosen to help the cheerleader's for their Homecoming pep rally, because it's something that they work very hard to prepare for. Maybe FRA one male cheerleader will show them that it is possible to incorporate males into the cheerleading squad as well," said McFarland.
Grant said, "Since it was our last Homecoming as seniors we wanted to make this pep rally one to remember and Matthew truely helped. Without him it would have been a disaster."
All the cheerleaders including McFarland preformed well during the Homecoming pep rally on Friday September 26 and the football players proceeded to win their Homecoming game later that night.
