Butler High School cheerleader Madison Archer, right, roots on the Tornado at Friday night's game. Archer is a co-captain of the cheerleading squad.

Butler County is filled with a variety of people doing interesting things. This weekly feature offers snapshots of some of them by asking them five questions. The latest installment appears below.

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Since seventh grade, Madison Archer has been part of the Butler School District cheerleading program. Now 17 and a senior, Archer is one of four co-captains on the 19-person varsity squad, which also cheers for basketball.

Here, Archer talks about what it takes to support the team.

QUESTION: How much time does your sport require?ANSWER: When you try out in March, you go the whole way into February. It’s a continuous season. It never really stops. We practice pretty much from March until the season starts, and we do have practices while we’re in the football season.

QUESTION: What skills are needed to make the squad?ANSWER: It is pretty competitive. You have to have the required skills, like a standing tuck or a standing back handspring. You have to be sharp: have sharp motions and be able to learn dances and pick up on (choreography) quickly.

QUESTION: In terms of necessary skills, what is the ratio of athletic ability versus enthusiasm?ANSWER: I would say it’s probably 50/50. Your athletic ability plays into being a cheerleader, but your enthusiasm plays a big role, too. If you’re not loving what you’re doing and you’re not up there to support the team, then cheerleaders have no purpose.

QUESTION: Any kind of special preparations you face before each game?ANSWER: You always have to dress for the weather. We have warm-ups and raincoats … if it’s cold, extra Under Armour to put underneath your vest. The organization is well put together. We have a website you can go to to see exactly what you need for that game. Our coaches do a good job of keeping us informed about what we need for games and what time we need to be there.

QUESTION: What do you want people to know about cheerleading?ANSWER: It’s a lot harder than it looks. I think people take what we do for granted sometimes. They think we stand down there and throw our arms in the air and scream. But it takes a lot more athletic ability to tumble and stunt than people would think. ... (And) it’s a big trusting (experience). I’m the girl who gets thrown in the air. I have to trust that the people underneath me are going to catch me.