Competitive cheer is more than just sharp motions and high-energy routines—it’s a commitment built on teamwork, trust, and countless hours of practice. This issue, I interviewed senior athlete, Amelia (Millie) Gorospe, to find out about what it means to be a cheerleader.
How many members are there?
18
How many returning varsity players are there?
6
How many 4-year members of varsity are there?
5
Who are the captains?
Hana Tomita and Morgan Wallace
Who are your coaches?
Mia Davis and Andrew Nguyen
What is a quote from your coaches or from the players?
“One more time” and “You got this”
How long has the coach been the head coach?
5 months
How would you describe the strength of the team?
We’re strong at working together to go to semi-finals at UCA Nationals in Florida
What are your goals for this year as a team?
Get to semi-finals at nationals
How often do you practice?
3 times per week
What’s your favorite part of being on this team?
Being with my friends
What is your favorite season?
Sideline
What’s the hardest part about being a cheerleader?
Time management gets challenging, especially during comp season, because our weekends are full, and in addition to comp, we have basketball season.
Do you have a favorite routine you’ve done this year?
We only have one routine for comp, but it’s fun when we get a choreographer to teach us our routine. Choreo week is really fun, but afterwards, we repeat the routine a bunch. It gets tiring, but it’s always fun.
What’s something most people don’t realize about being on the team?
It’s a huge time commitment, practices are long, and it takes a lot of dedication to be on a team year-round.
What’s the funniest memory you have from practices or performances?
My friend Paige Serrano is doing her vlogmas, and the entire team is in on it. She’ll set up her phone at practice, and we’ll just be silly and laugh. When we see the edited video, it’s the best.
Who on your team is the best at keeping everyone’s energy up?
Everyone on the team makes being together so fun and energetic, and that’s something I really love about cheer.
What injuries have you had?
I’ve been really lucky this comp season and haven’t gotten injured, but I do get sore now and then.
What are your thoughts on this year?
This year had its challenges because we are in a new division, and on top of that, we’re doing gameday with the dance team, which has been fun to combine the team. While everything is new this year, it’s a lot of fun and has gotten easier.
From long practices to busy weekends, competition cheer requires the dedication and resilience of a strong character; however, these teams show how the benefits outweigh the challenges.