Senior Night: Cheers for our cheerleaders

The senior cheerleaders pose for a group picture on media day.

Nadia Woodman and Geniyah Johnson

Cheer Senior Night is this Friday! Come out to the Brentwood gym to see and hear what the cheerleaders have been up to this season! The senior night presentations will be during halftime of the boys varsity game against St. Pius X. This Friday is also Valentine’s Day, so bring your Valentine and come have a good time!

Since her freshman year, Sariah Bailey has participated in winter cheer for Brentwood and has been captain of the squad both this year and last. She also was a fall cheerleader for her freshman, sophomore and junior years and was co-captain her junior year. Bailey said that her favorite memory from cheerleading has been: “Any Hancock game we’ve ever had.” These games can be especially fun because the boys usually beat Hancock, and the cheerleaders do, too, when they battle. Her advice for younger girls on the team is, “Do it to get out of your shell, and if you do it, be very confident in yourself.” Bailey is always loud when she cheers and she never loses confidence at games, even if the boy’s basketball team is losing by a lot.

“Sariah is so fun to be around, and she will always help you when you need it,” said sophomore Nadia Woodman, who has been cheering with Bailey for two years. “I’m going to miss her so much when she graduates.”

Senior Nija Hayes has been cheering since her freshman year of high school. Hayes was encouraged by her childhood best friend’s mom to start cheer since she was the cheer coach. She’s been in love with the sport ever since. She has participated in all four years of winter cheer, and for her freshman, sophomore, and junior years, she also did fall cheer. Unfortunately, Hayes is currently out due to an injury but hopefully will be back by the end of the season.

Hayes would describe the season so far as: “We have our ups and downs, but overall, I have a lot of fun with the girls,” she said.

Hayes’s favorite part about cheering is the friendships she has mad She is always laughing with the team and having fun. “The girls have stuck with me through good times and bad, and I really value that,” she commented.

As a farewell, Hayes would like to give some advice for the upcoming cheerleaders which is, “Give it your all because there are a lot of opportunities. People love the cheerleaders because we give people energy so the more energy the better, and always just make sure you’re having fun.”

Ariana Hewitt is in her second year of winter cheer. Ariana transferred to Brentwood in the fall of her junior year and cheer served as a way for her to make friends and be a part of her new school community. In just two seasons, she’s made a lasting impact on her team with her enthusiasm and energy.

Senior cheerleaders gather together on media day.

When asked about her favorite part of cheerleading, Ariana shared that “battling” has been the best part of her experience. Her best memories, however, come not from a basketball game or practice, but from the team’s bus rides after away games. As a senior, Ariana has learned a lot during her time on the team, and she’s eager to pass along advice to the younger girls. “Keep practicing and be confident,” she said.

Isabel Soriano is a committed member of the cheerleading team, having cheered every fall and winter season throughout her high school years. While she loves both seasons, Isabel admits that winter cheer holds a special place in her heart. “I love seeing my friends and doing my favorite cheer,” she shared. Her favorite cheer is, “Let’s get fired up.”

Reflecting on her time as a cheerleader, Isabel’s best memories are from her freshman year, when she cheered with her favorite captain, a season that stuck with her.

Senior Mary Taylor first started cheering because she wanted to get out of her comfort zone. “I was more quiet before high school and cheer helped me come out of my shell a little,” she said. Taylor cheered for both fall and winter seasons in her freshman and sophomore years but decided to take a break her junior year. She realized how much she missed it, though, and is happy to be back for her senior year. Taylor’s favorite type of cheer is the battle cheer, and her favorite one is “You Can’t Rock Like Us.”

“You have to go full out and have a lot of energy,” she said. “We always battle the loudest and the strongest with that cheer.” Some advice that Tyalor would like to give to upcoming cheerleaders is: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there will always be someone who can and will help you.”

Even though she is a senior and has never been on a cheer squad in her life, Emma Trostel wanted to try something new. “I’ve always wanted to do cheer, but because of my club volleyball schedule, I couldn’t,” she said. “But this year my practices were going to be later on at night, so I took it as an opportunity for my senior year to try something different.”

Even though Trostel is currently dealing with some health concerns concerning her hips, she is committed to sticking the season out while keeping a positive mindset. Trostel said her favorite part so far about this season has been her teammates. “I like talking to and standing next to Nadia, we always laugh. Sometimes I get a little bit distracted about the game, but it’s just super fun.” Trostel’s favorite cheer is the battle cheer called “Haha, you’re already losing.”

Kyra Williams has been a dedicated member of the winter cheerleading team for all four years of high school, and this year, she’s taken on a new role as co-captain, a position she’s excited to try for the first time. When reflecting on her favorite memory from cheer, Kyra recalls a special moment from her sophomore year, which was the year she also cheered in the fall in addition to the winter. “My favorite memory was when we had a team dinner before a football game,” she shared.

Kyra’s passion for cheerleading was sparked by her older sister, Briara, who cheered throughout high school. Inspired by her sister, Kyra knew she wanted to follow in her footsteps and join the cheerleading team herself.