Throughout its fall and winter cheer seasons, the Rockin’ Raiders cheer team has performed at several sporting events at Hillsborough High School. Recently, however, the team conquered a much bigger stage.

The team, led by senior Sarah Friedman, and junior Maddie Hansen, performed in front of 6,100 fans before the start of the Somerset Patriots game at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

“Performing on a bigger stage really showed our cheerleaders the impact our team has on the community,” senior Friedman said. “Leaving the walls of Hillsborough High School meant that our message had not only touched the hearts of Hillsborough residents, but of people in surrounding towns.”

The team is looking for more venues to perform in the future, and hopes to influence other towns to start up unique programs like theirs.

“I hope our program can expand enough to the point where other schools around us can create their own inclusive cheer teams and that the message of love and kindness will continue to grow all throughout New Jersey and eventually the whole country,” Friedman said.

Although Friedman is graduating come this June, the team will continue, as it is going to be taken over by co-captain, Hansen. The team is always looking for more involvement from the students as this not only serves as a support to high school athletics but semi-pro teams in the area.

And while this season may be over, many girls on the team are looking to continue their high school cheer careers come next fall.