For senior Yari Blanco, being captain of the Woodland Hawks Cheer Team means so much more than just a title.

“It means being able to build a connection with the girls and become like their older sister to them that they can go to whenever for advice,” said Blanco. 

Cheerleading requires effort and determination and experience. 

“I’ve been doing cheerleading for 7 years,” said Blanco.

Being a captain comes with heavy responsibility, and she knows you cannot let friendship cloud your judgment.

“The hardest part of being a captain is learning the balance between friendship and leadership. I had to learn to keep my friends accountable but at the same time supporting them fully,” said Blanco.

Strong team morale is essential for athletic performance.

“I remind my teammates of how hard they’ve worked to get where they are now and that all have each other’s backs,” 

As Blanco describes being an older sister to the underclassmen her advice would be.

“Always keep a positive attitude and mindset,” said Blanco. 

When Blanco leaves the Woodland Hawk Cheer team she’s leaving with memories that she will never forget. Such as “My favorite cheer memory is performing at the pep rally my sophomore year,” 

Dedicating years to a sport is more than just a sport. “Cheer is the place where we can build friendships that feel like family and learn how important dedication and commitment is,”