Erika Garrido – Senior
How did you get into cheer?
I started cheerleading in freshman year after a friend suggested it would be a fun combination of dance and gymnastics. Since then, I’ve loved it and plan to continue in college.
What are your goals for the season?
This season I hope to continue strengthening my bond with my teammates and progress to harder-level stunts. As a team, I hope we continue to move up in difficulty, maintain a strong team dynamic, and have high energy in our routines.
What are you going to miss most about being on the team?
I’m going to miss the sense of community that is shared between teammates, regardless of how long they have been on the team. Everyone is super excited and eager to progress in their skills.
What is a fun fact about you?
I have lived in five different states.
Sami Diaz – Senior
How did you get into cheer?
Back in middle school, when I was living in Honduras I participated in swimming and gymnastics, which I enjoyed. However, while watching various sporting events, I often wondered why we didn’t have cheerleaders. I didn’t know that cheering involved much more than side activities, but also competitions, and encompassed a combination of tumbling, stunting, and dancing, activities that had appealed to me since I was a child. I first joined the highschool during my sophomore year. That’s when I decided to try out for the cheerleading team, and to my delight, I managed to secure a spot on the varsity team. This experience has been nothing short of incredible in terms of learning through challenges and teamwork.
What are your goals for this season?
Every day my goal is to commit to a daily path of learning and improvement. Incorporating the principles of teamwork, values, and respect. I aspire to lead by example on and off the field, on and off the cheer mat. Building a space where everyone can thrive, where challenges become opportunities, and where we celebrate victories together – big or small. Our journey will shape not only our team, but us individually as we grow and learn together.
What are you going to miss most about being on a team?
I will miss spending time with teammates and coaches. Our shared moments of laughter and energetic singing sessions during bus rides always help us prepare a positive mindset before competitions or game days.
What is a fun fact about you?
I hate onions, it’s my mission to check if there’s any onion in any food before eating it.
