Cheer: A Long Road

March, 2025

By Alexander Martinez, Staff Reporter

April 30, 2024 marks the start of a new chapter for the Kipp Austin Collegiate Cheer Team. This day was the tryouts to make the 2024-2025 cheerleading team, and they proved to be successful. This year’s cheer team is unlike any other team KAC has seen before. Given that they have overcome hard obstacles throughout this school year. For example, due to new KIPP policies the cheer team had to find a new vendor for their uniforms. This also meant they wouldn’t receive their gear like poms for quite some time. Despite this the team has made amazing strides.

First-year cheerleader Kenya Lopez describes the team’s progress as learning how to just go for it without giving it a second thought. Her teammate, junior Frida Cortes, touched on the struggles she faced while balancing Dance Crew and Cheer. She shared the sentiment that she could always rely on the cheer team for support. Like she could with dance as well. Captain and Third-Year Cheerleader Briseida Alvarado remarked how proud she is of all the girls and all the effort they put in during practices.

Though the practices can be tough the cheer team strives to make the most of it. They start their practices with running laps around the gym followed by stretching. After they have warmed up they go into drills, stunts, and review choreography. 

The cheers team’s hard work paid off in the end because they got to perform at the rising 9th graders event here at KAC. Several cheerleaders even performed for both Dance Crew and Cheer. Through their performance of their dance “El Beeper” and their cheer “R-O-W-D-Y” they were able to create an energetic atmosphere for the 8th graders visiting our campus.

Creating a great atmosphere is routine for the KAC Cheer Team. Their performances at pep rallies, volleyball games, and basketball games have showcased the cheers, dedication and pride they take in spreading joy throughout the campus.

Though the cheer team will not be competing this competition season their work is not wasted. Throughout their whole journey this year they have spread school spirit, joy, and showmanship to all. They have also encouraged future cheerleaders that will hopefully tryout for the 2025-2026 cheerleading season. In the words of the team’s coach Ms. Johnson, “Don’t say I can’t. Say you will”.