In the 2025-2026 season of RM Poms, the age distribution is considerably skewed: with eight freshmen, one sophomore, and only two juniors and seniors, respectively, the team is overflowing with new talent. On top of that, the team as a whole is considerably larger, with 13 girls total, compared to only eight from the previous year. As a relatively new sport, the Poms team has grown in size and interest, which is evidenced by the substantial number of freshmen on the team this year. “We had such a small team last year, and I was just really excited to have all these new members on the team because they’re all very talented,” said junior captain Audrey Markel.
Despite the fact that underclass men make up a large percentage of the team, they have still managed to build a strong connection due to their traditions and team bonding. Within the fall team, one of these traditions consisted of team dinners: “Before football games, we always have a team evening meal,” freshman Anh Hoang said.
This year, junior captains Abby Lee and Audrey Markel instituted a new tradition: Pom of the Week. “Our stuffed animal that we have named Poppy, that we used to give to all the girls who are Pom of the Week, and they get to take Poppy home with a journal. Then they get to write about the things that they and our little stuffed animal did throughout the week. It’s just really fun and a sweet little thing,” said Marklel. On top of that, “at Saturday practices, a bunch of my teammates and I would bring food for each other, and we would do a mini potluck,” freshman Dylan Peltzman said. The team, though new for the most part, has formed a tight connection through the different traditions they have.
The major difference between the incoming winter season and the recently concluded fall season is the presence of competition. Typically, the RM Poms team’s main focus during the fall is supporting other students of RM, whether it’s the football halftime show or a new dance routine at a pep rally. Winter operates a little differently. While the girls continue to perform at pep rallies and basketball half-times, the script is flipped for competition season. Poms teams from all over Montgomery County come to compete at invitationals and the county competition, showcasing their skills and competing for divisional titles. Preparation for competitions typically consists of practicing the choreography of the dances, which range from four to six minutes long. The team performs a variety of different dance styles and has to learn each style and movement with precision. In addition to having practice every day, the team has team breakfasts before competitions and team meetings after.
From iconic performances at football games, like the Thriller dance at the Halloween football game, to coming out and supporting our sports last season, the Poms team has proven their spirit and capability this fall. The team, full of new faces and skills, has worked hard this year and continues to put in effort to achieve their goals. Through new and ongoing traditions, returning members have been able to build strong connections with the underclass men. Now, with preparation and practice, they are ready to face whatever competition season brings.
This year, the Poms are competing in the third division; however, they hope to move up a division by preparing well for competitions. “I really hope we place this year and next year, so that we can move back up to D2,” Hoang said.
