By Jessica Robison
Moapa Valley Progress
Members of the “Black Hole” loudly embraced their Mustang pride at the two Mack Lyon Middle School basketball game last week. The “Black Hole” is a student cheer group that had its beginnings last year and has since picked up momentum.
The idea began among the ranks of the school’s National Junior Honors Society and has quickly spread to the student council and yearbook staff. This year it is open to the whole student body.
“We want to keep the students involved,” Jared Meyers, honors society advisor and leader of the Black Hole said. “We want them to support our teams and our school.”
About a third of the turnout for the basketball games were the members of the Black Hole. They were easily recognized by their black attire. Some wore black masks over their eyes; others wore long black gowns or robes. There was also the occasional black moustache and one student even wore a Darth Vader mask.
“Being in the Black Hole is an amazing experience,” eighth-grade student Hyrum McMurray commented. “I feel that it has made our teams play better.”
Nathan Chandler, who was attending his first Black Hole basketball game, claimed to be having a great time. “My favorite cheer is “the rollercoaster,” he said. “We all just act like we’re on a real rollercoaster.”
As the game continued, members of the Black Hole stomped and screamed. When the cheerleaders did a cheer, they joined in to make it louder. Occasionally, Meyers would stand in front of them and they would perform their own cheer. Soon, they had most of the audience participating and showing their school spirit.
“[The Black Hole] brings everyone together,” Meyers said. “Having us all together, cheering while we win a game… it feels pretty good.”
