Few groups exhibit greater school pride than our cheerleading team. Whether they’re hyping up the crowd at football games or going all out for pep rallies, the cheerleaders bring energy and excitement wherever they go. However, behind the smiles is hard work, dedication, and teamwork that keep the group going strong.
In an interview with cheer team members Chloe Guzman and Deutron Zhou, they shared what cheerleading truly means to them and the challenges that come with it.
“The best part is growing a new family with all your teammates,” Chloe explains. Deutron agreed, emphasizing the deep connections built between the members. “This team is literally a family, like we are a family,” she says. “We all have each other. We’re always working together, and our shared effort helps us create a great bond.”
However, like any sport, cheerleading is not without its challenges. Both share the obstacles of being a student-athlete. “It’s pretty hard,” Guzman exclaims. “But we do only practice three times a week, so it’s really all about time management…though, for things like pep rallies, there’s a lot of preparation, and it can get draining, but it’s all worth it in the end.”
Deutron unfolds the hardest skill to accomplish: teamwork. Cheerleading is “a group effort,” Zhou states. “Everyone has to put in all the work… Like if one thing doesn’t go right, then it’s not just one person’s problem because it affects the whole team.” The success of the entire team depends on collective accountability, and each member’s actions contribute to the perfect, unified performance.
Through all the practices, games, and trials, both sportswomen feel they would not trade this experience for another. For them, cheerleading is more than just a way of learning—it’s about collaboration, dedication, and the friendships formed along the way.
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