When the doors of our school first opened, the halls were dominated by all-female cheer squads.

However, one more door was left open for a new member last May.

Junior Kevin Robison took the chance to tryout for the cheer team last school year.

“I have always had an interest in cheer, but I was never brave enough to try out and be on the team,” said Robison.

Since Robison made the JV cheer squad, he has been performing at pep rallies and cheering at the football games.

His sister, Ebony Robison, watched him break out of his shell and pursue cheer.

This was something she said he normally wouldn’t have done.

“I was a little shocked when he wanted to do cheer, but that was his choice,” said Ebony. “ It is a really big thing, especially in our society, that you are supposed to be stuck in many gender roles, and it’s very good when you are able to step out of that box and be different.”

Cheer actually originated as a male dominated sport in 1869.

It wasn’t until 1923 at the University of Minnesota when women were finally allowed to join cheer.

However, in high school today, females make up about 97% of cheer according to WGN-TV News.

Robison has not only been a first male cheerleader at our school, but also for JV cheer coach Jamie Zapata.

“In the sea of just girls, he is very calm and gets along great with everybody,” said Zapata. “He is very coachable. I only have to tell him once maybe twice, and he fixes it.”

His sister has been inspired every day by Robison’s confidence and his willingness to be different.

She hopes he has an impact on the student body as a whole.

“A lot of people want to do many things that they are always afraid to do because they think someone else is going to judge them,” said Ebony. “So for him to go out there being the first male cheerleader, I think it’s a very great thing.”

As of next year, Zapata hopes he can improve his game.

“I think it would be great if he could learn tumbling,” said Zapata. “I feel like tumbling would be so easy for him, because his height and leg strength is so great.”

Robison wants to continue to cheer and follow his passions.

“I am just realizing I only have two more years of high school and I’m not going to waste it,” said Robison. “I want to make an impact and be myself and have fun.”