With the 2025-2026 school year starting up, the SHS Cheer team is looking forward to having an amazing year, setting many goals to accomplish, and overall having fun working as a team.
Coaching cheer for 22 years, Coach Priscilla is looking forward to teaching new sideline cheers and stunts. The cheerleaders are also looking forward to many things.
“This season I’m really looking forward to our rivalry game at home against Kingsburg. Since it lands on Halloween, I’m excited to wear our costumes, and see everyone else’s,” says junior Addyson Fernandez Garfield. “I’m also looking forward to practicing for our new halftime dance that we’ll be performing at that game.”
Addyson is a flyer and has been in cheer for five years. She grew up doing dance and has always had a passion for dancing and performing. She has also competed at a cheer competition before, and will be attending the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii this December.
Senior Alyssa Sanchez is the Cheer Captain and back-spot on the team. She has been doing cheer for twelve years, and four of those years have been on the SHS varsity cheerleading team.
“This season, I am looking forward to making great memories with my team,” Sanchez shared.
The cheerleading team has a variety of goals they want to achieve this season together.
“A personal goal that I have is to improve on my tumbling. I’ve been working towards getting my backhand spring for this season,” expressed Garfield.
“My goal for this year is to become the best version of myself in cheer,” says Sanchez.
SHS Cheer Advisor, Ms. Fester, shares that the season has been going great so far, but they have also been extremely busy.
Since cheerleading is a very demanding sport, a lot of hard work and countless hours go into each dance, stunt, and cheer.
When asked how cheerleaders are kept motivated, Ms. Fester says that being positive and praising them helps them stay determined.
The cheerleaders admire the strong bond they have created as a team and all the hard work they put into the sport.
“My favorite thing about cheerleading is that everyone is so nice and uplifting. All the girls get along with each other and we bond through dancing, stunting, and being spirited,” expressed Sanchez.
“Since we’re always working together, it’s really rewarding to see how much we grow throughout the season and how everyone’s hard work pays off,” states Garfield.
SHS Cheer squad gathers together before the Selma vs. Reedley game
Photo Credits: Priscilla Fester
