For years, DeKalb County High School cheerleaders have energized fans across high school sports. This season, they have done so under new leadership.
Mollie Bratten, a teacher at DeKalb West School, stepped into her first high school head coaching role this school year, taking over the DeKalb Tigers Cheer program just as football season approached.
The position remained vacant as Opening Week neared, and Bratten said she felt the pull to step in. Though she teaches middle school students by day, Bratten’s move to the high school sideline marked a new chapter, one that began immediately when the Tigers kicked off their season.
“They’re doing amazing,” Bratten said. “It’s been definitely a learning experience, but I have enjoyed it and they have made this transition so easy for me.”
From the start, Bratten said she made it clear she had a bigger goal than simply leading chants.
“I’ve always heard that cheer is not a sport, but it absolutely is,” Bratten said. “My girls are definitely leaders, role models, and a good support system for each other and they work hard. They truly represent the student body and I’m very proud of them.”
For Bratten, redefining the perception of cheerleading has been central to her mission. Bratten said she has seen firsthand the discipline required, something she said she did not fully grasp before taking the job.
“You would not believe the counting and the precision that goes into it,” Bratten said. “I like the behind the scenes things like I can handle the ordering and things like that so I depend on [Coach Sheila Kirby] a lot to teach me the actual cheer skills. It’s taken me a few months.”
Only one cheerleader made the move from DeKalb West Middle School to the high school program, meaning Bratten had to build relationships with an almost entirely new group of athletes. Bratten said she also quickly realized the jump in skill level between middle school and high school cheer.
Bratten’s impact stretches beyond the high school. This spring, she continues coaching basketball cheer at DeKalb West Middle School, creating a bridge between the two programs and helping lay groundwork for the future of Tigers cheer.
Balancing both roles has made for a busy year. But Bratten said she embraces it, and has enjoyed it every step of the way.