Just as planned for months, the excitement of the cheer season fills the air each year, and this year was no different. North Hollywood Cheer was ready to showcase all the hard work put in over the summer, not just as a team but as a family. On Nov 21st, the first competition took place at Arleta High School, bringing talented teams from different schools together. The energy was compelling, making it the perfect atmosphere for the seniors’ last-first competition.
Cheer is divided into two groups: sideline and the other comp (short for competition). Between these two, comp is more strict and involves more stunting, while sideline is more about cheering the crowd in games. Cheer also stunts for football, volleyball, and basketball games, but it is mostly to energize the crowd. Senior Captain Amanda Figueroa shares her favorite season to be comp, “I just feel like comp has a lot with team bonding, and it’s where you get closer to everyone. It’s just a nice experience to go out there and perform. While all these people are cheering you on, the nerves of where you place and all of that stuff makes it memorable.”
s“I am sad but at the same time very excited for the first competition of the season, I remember when we had our first comp (competition) practice. We all got closer together as a smaller group. I think that I have to have a lot of patience and keep on practicing because practice makes perfect,” senior Gaby Vazquez states. Even though morning practices are not her favorite. Vazquez still believes that they have to do what they have to to be where they are at. Vazquez’s motto that she goes by is, “Practice makes perfect.”
Junior captain Elizabeth Merida, being captain for two years, sadly reflects on her fellow senior teammates leaving this year. “I love them all, and I appreciate every one of them. I’m so proud of them, and I’m very sad to see them leave, especially the ones I’ve been with since my freshman year. I’m super proud of them,” Merida states.
Nostalgically, Coach Gamino took a moment to celebrate our seniors after spending various months together and even years with those seniors, which I have spent years and months committed to this sport. “It makes me sad because I’ve watched them grow since their sophomore year and watching them become these people. I remember half of this team that are seniors now; they were so shy in the beginning. Now, watching them become seniors is an amazing experience. I’m really happy that I was able to be a part of that experience of who they are becoming.”
Figueroa reflects on her last competition as a senior performing for NHHS. “It’s a really weird feeling because when it comes to a lot of senior-related stuff, they’ll call out seniors, and it’s interesting just to realize it’s kind of my last time performing. It’s sad, but it’s life, it’s about time,” she reflects.
Coach Gamino has been the coach of the cheer team for a while now. Bringing both motivation and enthusiasm to every practice. Being an alumnus of cheer and then becoming a coach. Gamino reflects upon each season, “Not that I don’t like the other seasons, but traditional cheer is especially what our traditional comp is. When I cheered, it was one of my favorite things to do, and being able to share that experience with you guys sinks into my heart. I do like football season, it’s fun. But there is nothing like traditional cheer. It’s just the energy, the crowd, the team. It is a great experience for me, and being able to experience it with you guys.”
After weeks, days, and several hours spent practicing this routine, it was finally time. The crowd filled with excitement and enthusiasm when cheer performed. The routine was performed with the passion and hard work of everyone on the team. When scores were announced, we found ourselves in fourth place.
The feedback from the audience was prodigiously positive. Junior Samantha from Alliance Marine High School reflected on our performance, “It was a really good choreography and enthusiasm. It was something different, which is a good thing because it was entertaining to watch.” Admin Jenny Espinoza, campus staff from Arleta High School, included, “The performance was very good, good performance intensity, facials, everything. This is my first time attending one of these cheer comps, but overall I was impressed.”
Figueroa reflected on the score given, “Honestly, we did so well at this comp even if they didn’t hit exactly as planned. Our energy and effort were there. I’m proud of us. We were also so tired. I know most of us gave it our all out there. We have enough time to take a couple of runs at the routine and perfect it. I think this comp helped some realize the intensity of it, and by the next one, I’m confident that we will all be confident in the routine. We’re placing the next comp.”
“I’m proud of everyone. I know we tried our best, and I wish I could’ve done better. I think our energy was there and it was a good competition. I think in the next competition, the nerves will go away, and we will do an even better performance than this one.” Merida states.
In the end, while the score was in fourth place, the day was much more than a score. It was more to admire the hard work, dedication, and mostly how far they have come since the beginning. As we look ahead into the season, cheer is committed to honoring their seniors during their last performances. With the support of our coaches, Coach Gamino and Coach Keanna, with spirit and the team’s camaraderie, cheer is ready for what is to come in this season since it’s only the beginning.
