On November 1st, 2024, our Cougar Cheer and all their supporters recognized the 6 amazing seniors who have worked with their team for years to make our sidelines special and full of love. Today we celebrated not only their pasts in cheer but also their futures.
Our first cheer senior, Kenna Maddock, has been a part of our Sahuaro Cheer Team for all four years and is one of three captains and a flyer. Kenna plans to go to the University of Arizona to
study nursing, and though she did not originally plan to cheer in college, because people have tried to sway her, she is now considering the option.
One thing Kenna will miss the most about cheer is the football games with her team. Leaving this amazing chapter of her life, Kenna would like to thank one person, “One of my biggest inspirations has always been my mom, but especially when I got to high school. She inspired me so much and I would think about who she was and how she acted when she was my age and that also inspired me. She always just pushes me to do my best and be the best version of myself.”
Our next cheerleader, also captain and flyer, Julissa Estrada, has been on the Sahuaro team for four years but has been doing cheer for 12 years in total. Since she has been doing cheer her whole life, it was evident to her that she must continue the sport in high school.
Julissa plans to attend the University of Arizona Nursing College, and though she has considered doing cheerleading in college, it is not currently something she is trying to achieve. Leaving Sahuaro cheer, she will miss the aspect of Friday night lights while cheering with her best friends by her side.
The next senior is our last captain, Nissie Bella, who has been on the team for 4 fantastic years. She was put into cheer at a very young age by her mom but ended up loving it.
She plans on going to an undecided university to major in nursing.
Her favorite thing about the cheer team is the bond the team has. She said, “Probably the team chemistry. We all have been through so much together. The bonds become something no one will ever know unless you’re in it.”
Nisse’s number one inspirations are her mom and Coach Kiki, saying, “I’ve known Kiki and he’s seen me grow up in cheer so just always trying to do my best for the both of them.” The main lesson she will take away from cheer is to always have a good attitude.
Miguel Marcial, side-base and occasional flyer, joined the cheer team two years ago when Kenna told him about it towards the end of his sophomore year. After high school, he plans to go to Northern Arizona University to study some sort of business and then go on to study cosmetology.
Miguel has many things he will miss about cheer. “I think I will miss dancing and the team the most…There is such a good camaraderie between everyone, and sure there are times when some bickering goes on, but I think in the end we all care and look out for each other.”
Leaving the cheer team will be hard for him, so much so that it doesn’t even feel real right now. “Cheer has been so fun and I will miss it so so much, but it will take some time to realize that it’s gone and that will for sure be a sad day. I’ll miss wearing uniforms to school, Friday night lights, and the team.”
One of his biggest inspirations springs from his parents. “My mom and dad mean the world to me and they have helped me get through so many different things, and I’m so grateful that they are in my life.” The great lessons he has learned from cheer have taught him to have a good time no matter the circumstances.
His favorite memory from the Sahuaro Cheer Team is from the Douglas game last year because of the happy feeling he had going into the game. It was also his first time playing cheer games with another team, which he loved.
Leaving Sahuaro’s cheer team, his one piece of advice is, “No matter how bad things are, you have to try your absolute best to do the best you can do, and become happy with yourself and the outcome.”
Keiara Matthews is a backspot on the team and has been in cheer for 2 years. She joined cheer because
she wanted to continue her sister’s legacy. After high school, Keiara wants to jump right back into school to study nursing at Pima Community College. She also plans to cheer because she thinks it will be a fun experience.
Her favorite memory from cheer is during a practice when she and her best friend were playing around and she flipped her over and ended up doing a split. Overall, her greatest inspiration in cheer has been Coach Kiki. Keiara’s favorite thing about cheer is the spirit that the teams hold throughout all of it, whether it’s the football games, competitions, or bus rides.
Our last cheer senior, Izaya Fregoso, is a backspot and has been in cheer for 2 years. He joined because he knew that it’d be a very fun high school experience. Because of the enjoyment he had, he is preparing to continue cheer after high school and attend the University of Arizona to major in nursing.
Izaya will miss everything about the cheer team, but especially the memories he made with all the new people he met through cheer. It makes it impossible to pick just one memory.
Coach Kiki has been his biggest inspiration because “He has always been there to support and motivate me and I always see all the hard work and dedication he’s put into our team. He inspires me to have that same dedication and determination for cheer.” Leaving Sahuaro, the biggest lesson he will take away from it all is learning to work with others and push himself out of his comfort zone.
From captains to back-spots, back-spots to flyers, they all hold such great importance to our school and our other students. No matter what the future holds, these cheerleaders will always be remembered as the spirit of Sahuaro. We hope nothing but luck to these amazing students.
