When the players take the field, the Scots take the stands.
The Screamin’ Scots, Carlmont’s event cheer section, is a student-run organization that plays a fundamental role in Carlmont’s sports games. The Screamin’ Scots come to basketball, football, and volleyball games where they hype up the crowd and cheer for the teams.
Screamin’ Scots allow students to express themselves and show their pride for their school and peers.
“Screamin’ Scots is my favorite part of high school. As a person who has ADHD and has a lot of energy to expel, Screamin’ Scots acts as a release for me,” senior and Screamin’ Scots leader Kyle Dimick said. “And it lets me cheer on my team and make other people happy too.”
Screamin’ Scots also provides a way for students to support and bond with one another through a collective goal. The spirit that the Screamin’ Scots produce creates a joyful environment in which all can feel welcome.
“It’s [Screamin’ Scots] rewarding because it rallies everyone together and makes people feel part of the Carlmont community since it’s open to everyone,” junior Varun Suklikar said.
Not only do the Screamin’ Scots support the athletes, but they also create a support system amongst one another.
“If you trust the people screaming beside you, screaming becomes less embarrassing,” Dimick said. “Everyone needs to feel supported to make Screamin’ Scots work.”
Students participate in Screamin Scots by sitting in the designated section of the home field bleachers and join in cheers led by the Screamin’ Scots leaders. Carlmont’s drumline also plays a large part of Screamin’ Scots.
“Drumline’s main role in Screamin’ Scots is basically to hype people up and just make a lot of noise,” Joe Seaman, a junior, said. “It’s rewarding to be in drumline because you energize the crowd and feel included in the experience.”
The leaders of Screamin’ Scots plan to make adjustments in order to maximize the amount of spirit the Scots put in as well as ensure that everyone enjoys their time while cheering.
“Previously we have had the Screamin’ Scots leaders and drumline on the track, while the crowd watches us from above,” Dimick said. “This year, however, we are moving the leaders onto the bottom row of the stands and drum line to the back. This way people can hear us better and we can create hype from both the front and back of the stands to fully immerse everyone.”
Even though the team sometimes loses, the Screamin’ Scots maintain a positive attitude and have fun regardless of the score.
“Everyone’s involved in cheers and is into it, regardless of how the team is doing,” Alexa Jamison, a junior, said. “We hopefully pump up the football team and get everyone else excited to scream their hearts out.”
No matter the outcome of the game, the Screamin’ Scots maintain a positive attitude and focus on the experience rather than the outcome.
Dimick said, “At the end of a game, whether we won or lost, there’s always at least one person who had a fun time and that’s all I need to know to keep me coming back every game.”
