Cholla Charger Network

By Jazlynn Arvizu & Nikki Hart

With constant due dates and extensively long practices for some IB student athletes, there must be a balance. Only the ups are ever brought to light and not the downs, so here is the full extent and story of a few Cholla students. As a cheerleader, our job is the bring spirit to the school, and keep the crowd alive at games. Though smiles are put on, we, like many others, are at a constant battle with schoolwork. As the writers of this article, we are also apart of the spirit line, along with three of our interviewees, Camila Gamez, Ayleen Cruz, and Arleth Cruz.

Defining the differences and difficulties. Though we all take IB courses, where we are different is some are IB diploma and others only take a few of these classes. IB diploma is when every class on your schedule is IB-based. “Do not do IB diploma; it is so much stress,” said all three cheer girls. But they also said it is worth it. IB stands for International Baccalaureate. These advanced courses are recognized internationally and automatically make your college transcripts go from good to amazing. Student that take these classes also have a higher chance of getting accepted into Ivy league schools as opposed to your regular classes.

After all our interviewees conclude practice, once they get home, they immediately study after showering and eating. Notes, videos, and anything else they can do. With the complications of cheer routines, football plays, and new topics in class, we are pulled and tugged to stay on top of everything. Not only are sports an add-on to a bit of stress, but they are also a way to let out emotions and energy. We smile, laugh, fail, succeed, bond, and congratulate each other for learning new skills and running good routes. “Cheer is my outlet for relieving stress,” said Arleth Cruz, one of our interviewees.

Cholla’s star basketball player, Jerry Mendoza, made a similar statement. “Being on the court is my passion and place of meditation. It’s my therapy.” He, like most of us IB athletes, use our sports to breathe. Another quote of one of our interviewees, Cholla football/volleyball player and wrestler Tre Morton, was, “Volleyball taught me patience.” He also said practices are long and tough, but you learn to manage studying along with them.

One question asked was, “Do you have any advice for any future Cholla students who would like to do sports and take IB courses simultaneously?” Here were our most common responses: do not procrastinate, take your time, and ask lots of questions. Do not feel dumb because you are confused in a “smart kid” class. You are there for a reason and everyone gets confused from time to time. But be sure your confusion did not spark from laziness. Be ready to put in that work, and stay organized. Notes will make the biggest difference in staying motivated, sloppy notes equals sloppy studying. Get good rest and eat breakfast, focusing becomes a problem if your body is not prepared for it. Set your body and yourself up for success.