Mineola High School cheerleaders wear varsity sweaters and pleated skirts...

Mineola High School cheerleaders wear varsity sweaters and pleated skirts for a photograph in the 1961 yearbook. Credit: Mineola Public Library

Long Island high school cheerleading squads have changed drastically during the last century.

From below-the-knee skirts to miniskirts, from cartwheels to highflying flips, local cheerleaders have gone from simply cheering on athletes to becoming athletes themselves who often steal the spotlight and bring home trophies, too.

Use the link below this sentence to view the before-and-after-photos we've come across.

Were you a Long Island cheerleader? Send your high school photos to tara.conry@newsday.com and they may be featured on newsday.com.

Lead-contaminated drinking water was found in nearly 3,000 water fixtures in Long Island schools. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.  Credit: Newsday/Drew Singh; Howard Schnapp; Pond 5

'You have neurologic effects, you have hematological or blood effects' Lead-contaminated drinking water was found in nearly 3,000 water fixtures in Long Island schools. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Lead-contaminated drinking water was found in nearly 3,000 water fixtures in Long Island schools. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.  Credit: Newsday/Drew Singh; Howard Schnapp; Pond 5

'You have neurologic effects, you have hematological or blood effects' Lead-contaminated drinking water was found in nearly 3,000 water fixtures in Long Island schools. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME