Senior Cheerleaders in Japan: Rah, Rah Rah?
How old should a cheerleader be? For most of us, the word conjures images of short-skirted, pom-pom, long-legged, pony-tailed energetic teens as they sis- boom-bah their way across high school and college football grounds.
But in Tokyo, things are different. Although depression may be more the mood of the day considering the state of the nation’s economy, there are some senior citizens who have taken the idea of inspiring happiness into their own hands. One pom-pom squad is very popular, even though the average age of its members is 66.
Japan Pom-Pom members practice two hours per week and often perform at children’s hospitals and nursing homes. They are easy to spot as their sequined costumes are shiny and red, their pom-poms gold and their wigs silvery and bobbed very short. (Quite a different picture of a cheerleader than what comes to mind, n’est ce pas?)
“I started cheerleading when I was 63 and I think I can dance much better and have made some improvements. Anybody can improve even if you are old,” said Fumie Takino, the 78-year-old leader and founder of the club.
The main goal of this group is to have fun. There are no political undercurrents or hidden agendas connected with their performances.
“There is a lot of depressing news and the economy is bad. I must say, I can only do little to overcome this problem, but I hope we can provide energy and encourage people by showing how we senior cheerleaders are simply enjoying ourselves,” says Takino.
Their enthusiasm does appear to be contagious and brings hope to daily commuters and economists who cannot bear to even look at Japan’s growing rate of inflation.
The cheerleaders inflate hopes and a little cheer instead.
Rah, rah and sis boom bah.
Baton twirl, anyone?
What do YOU think about this?
(Link)
By MDeeDubroff on 22-04-2010
