Behind the bright smiles and sharp routines, being a cheerleader at Granite Hills High School is far more demanding than one might think. It may look effortless, but behind every routine there is discipline and teamwork. From their long practices to perfecting stunts, these girls spend countless hours to achieve a smooth and effortless look. Despite the long hours, these girls show up to school with a smile on their faces, ready to lift everyone’s school spirit.
“It takes a lot of mental and physical strength as well as discipline to put ourselves in front of the school and not doubt ourselves,” Granite Hills senior cheer captain Fatima Garcia said. “With aching muscles and tight smiles, we have to push through to exceed expectations.”
From student during the day to cheer captain at night, Garcia has been a member of the varsity cheer team for three years and its captain for one. Garcia is a senior in the Law, Justice, and Ethics Pathway and is a part of the CSF and MEChA clubs.
“Balancing school and cheer isn’t easy; it means late nights, early mornings, and constant pressure to give your all,” Garcia said. “The hard work teaches me discipline, time management, and how strong I can be when I refuse to give up.”
Garcia is outgoing and likes to make people laugh with jokes that only her friends would understand. She likes to spend time with her sisters and friends. Besides her goofy personality, she takes cheerleading very seriously. Garcia’s position on the squad is a backspot, and she has spent countless hours making sure her flyer does not hit the floor.
“Being captain is not about the title, it’s about the people beside me. I’m proud of our growth, and proud of the heart we put into every moment. Each member’s dedication and spirit light up every performance. This team is more like a family, and it´s such a special pride to have them by my side.” Alvarado said.
From the silly girl who likes to make people laugh to a shy girl who watches and makes sure everyone is doing the right thing, the team’s second captain is Aleena Alvarado. She is a junior in the AVID program, where she maintains good grades. In her free time, she likes to eat seafood boil and spend time cleaning. She has been on the varsity cheer team for three years as a base.
Alvarado is shy naturally, but that doesn’t keep her from shining with her cheer squad.
“I tend to get anxious, but I shift my negative thoughts to positive ones and remember I am making memories with my teammates,” Alvarado said about overcoming her shy personality.
Alvarado wants to study to be a lawyer while being a real estate agent on the side. She hopes to someday repay everyone’s kindness towards her.
“Cheer helps me come out of my shell and be confident in myself even when I don’t feel it, so I know it will help me in my career as a lawyer when needing to speak in front of crowds,” Alvarado said.
As team captains, Garcia and Alvarado said they build school spirit by trying to “obtain the heart and energy of Granite Hills.” They said their goal is to create an atmosphere with positive energy where everyone is included and connected.
“My responsibilities exceed more than just cheerleading,” Garcia said. “I am responsible for setting the example and showing dedication, discipline, and school pride. I act as a bridge between coaches and my team.”
Alvarado approaches things similarly as a captain.
“I have to make sure the team understands the expectation coaches have,” Alvarado said.
The cheer captains prove that their roles go far beyond chants on the sidelines. Through countless hours at practice, late nights perfecting routines, and constant dedication to their team, they are what it means to lead with spirit and strength. Cheerleading is more than pom poms and smiles; it’s commitment, teamwork, and heart.
