Cholla Charger Network

By Renaiya May

I interviewed Arleth Cruz, Ayleen Cruz, and Camila Gamez. The first question asked was, “What were the challenges you had to go through to be in this sport?” Arleth Cruz responded with, “The challenges I would say would be time management. Since I am a full diploma IB student, I have to find time to do cheer and my schoolwork. I have to manage learning new routines as well as keep up to speed with classes.” Camila Games responded with, “Some of the challenges I had to go through, for me was my time management because since cheer this year is tougher (in a good way), it pushes me, but it sometimes can conflict with my responsibilities at home as well as the amount of homework I receive.” Ayleen Cruz responded with, ” A challenge that I faced is that I have less sleep, I think that homework takes up a lot of my time when I get home, so my sleep schedule is not as consistent. I also had to go through lots of stress with time management since I have to make time for a lot of schoolwork and cheer, so it gets stressful at times, but it’s all worth it at the end!” 

Next, I asked, “What is the hardest part of cheer?” Arleth Cruz responded with “The hardest part would be getting out of my comfort zone. I struggled to push myself out of my comfort zone to be able to learn things such as splits or kicks. I think that being positive is important when you’re learning new skills and that’s something I am working on!” Camila Gamez responded with, “The hardest part about cheer is the stamina because I am out of shape.” Ayleen Cruz responded with, “I would say the hardest part is time management because I really do love cheering, but it can be difficult to find the time to focus on my schoolwork and my scholarship when I get home exhausted. Then I don’t have time to hang out with my family sometimes either since I have to go straight to homework once I get home. It is very challenging to not reach burnout since cheer is time taking but it can also help me manage time.” 

After that, I asked them “What is the easiest part of cheer?” Arleth Cruz responded with, “The easiest part of cheer would be being enthusiastic and putting my all into a sport. I love to bring in cheer and it’s an outlet for me. The easiest thing would be being preppy and having fun while cheering at games or performing.” Camila Gamez responded with, “The easiest part of cheer is getting the cheers down, I think the whole team is great at picking up cheers and performing them.” Ayleen Cruz responded with “I would say being myself. Whenever I’m at practice or cheering it feels like I can so easily be myself. I also love being social with all the amazing girls on the team, everyone is so nice. I would also say the easiest part is having fun since every time I cheer, I do not think of anything else, all my stress is gone, it’s my outlet and I love it so much!” 

Next I asked “Do you enjoy this sport why or why not?” Arleth Cruz responded with ” Yes I love this sport. I love being able to stunt and learn new dances to perform. I love being able to learn new skills and being able to be around new people and growing alongside with them. I love being able to be in cheer and learning new stunting skills.” Camila Games responded with “I do enjoy the sport because I get some work out in and it helps me distract myself from other issues.” Ayleen Cruz responded with “Yes I love this sport since it is my outlet and everyone makes me feel included. I think it is an amazing way to make good memories.” 

 Then I asked, “What is your cheer dream?” Arleth Cruz responded with, “Mainly, this year I want to be able to gain more stunting skills and being able to do more complex stunts. I would like to go and make higher levels of cheer because I like to challenge myself and be able to accomplish things that are out of my comfort zone.” Camila Gamez responded with, “My cheer dream is to be flexible.” Ayleen Cruz responded with, “To always be able to inspire and lift-up others I think it’s very important. I also want to try to stunt better and be stronger.” 

Then I asked was “What is your biggest goal in cheer?” Arleth Cruz responded with, “My biggest goal would be able to do more individual stunting and being able to get my splits more cleaner.” Camila Gamez responded with, “My biggest goal in school is to get the IB diploma but have balance in my life.” Ayleen Cruz responded with “My biggest goal is to perfect my cheers but to also have fun and remember to be present in the moment. I also want to get better at my jumps and kicks.” 

Next, I asked, “Would you consider cheer a sport why or why not?” Arleth Cruz responded with, “Yes I would because we are stunting and picking up one another in the air. In addition, we are always in motion and learning new cheers and routines like any other sport would learn new plays.” Camila Gamez responded with, “Yes although it isn’t as competitive as other sports, it still requires hard work especially during stunting.”  Ayleen Cruz responded with, “I think at times people could think it’s not a sport, but I think it is because you have to be consistent, and you have to practice. I think there are times where it does not feel like a sport, but mainly at practice it feels like a sport.” 

Then after that I asked, “Why do you like this sport?” Arleth Cruz responded with, “I like cheer because I am able to be working out and I love learning new dances. I like being able to be interactive and being with my friends in my favorite sport. I also like helping and supporting other girls on the team and it helps me have an outlet.” Camila Gamez responded with, “I like cheer because it helps me be distracted and it is also a fun environment.” Ayleen Cruz responded with, “I like cheer because I can make amazing memories with amazing people.” 

The final question I asked was, “What is your biggest memory in cheer throughout your years?” Arleth Cruz responded with, “My biggest memory would be out homecoming performances. I love being able to perform in front of people and show what we have been working on. I also would say meeting my two best friends, I would say my formation of friendships are memorable!” Camila Gamez responded with, “My biggest memory was comp. Because it was very intense but a really fun time with my friends.” Ayleen Cruz responded with, “My biggest memory was me and my friends crying because we lost our competition, but we all cried together and got ice-cream and laughed about it later!”