Following a surge of student interest, the school board has approved two new middle school clubs: swimming and cheer.

The board granted the approval after students and parents generated support for the programs over the past year.

Momentum for a cheer program built during the previous basketball season, according to Middle and High School Principal Greg Clark.

“Paige Hoyt graduated last year, and her senior project was coaching a middle school cheering camp. She had a pretty big turnout,” Clark said. “All that was needed for that club — or for any club to get approved is a proposal.”

Clark said the formal proposal arrived shortly after Hoyt’s camp, and a plan for a swim club soon followed.

Heather Armstrong, activities director for the school district, said her push for a swim program began after seeing younger athletes train alongside their older high school peers, and she felt encouraged watching middle school students practice at the pool with the high school team.

“I started hearing from other students and parents who wanted to know about getting their middle school children into a swimming club,” Armstrong said. “We officially started the swim club on Monday, Aug. 31, and the club will be active through six weeks and it will culminate with a community swim meet.”

Armstrong plans to hold the meet near the end of October, though organizers have not set a firm date. The meet will double as a fundraiser to support the club.

The school district will pay for each club to travel to one event, Clark explained. Any additional travel must be funded through team fundraising efforts.

The cheer club still needs leadership before taking to the sidelines at events. Armstrong said there is currently no middle school cheer coach, but the district will soon advertise to fill the volunteer position.

The school board approved the new clubs Aug. 17.

Both Clark and Armstrong view the new programs as vital steppingstones for student development.

“It’s good to see these clubs starting, because they serve as good feeder programs for the high school,” Clark said. “It helps the students gain experience so they can step into the high school and make the adjustment more easily.”