by Azhar Gonzalez
SAsports.com Cheer Columnist
Week of November 15, 2007

Elise Lopez is a Stevens High School Varsity cheerleader. She’d been a power tumbler most of her life, but had always wanted to be a cheerleader. She became a cheerleader at the age of 16. “Actually, the Holy Cross Cheerleaders inspired me the most; I thought they were one of the best cheer squads I had ever seen” says Elise.

Being a cheerleader has taught her to get along with other people under different circumstances and has built her teamwork, commitment, and leadership qualities. Her biggest accomplishment yet has been making the varsity squad and being able to overcome many fears she has had in the past as a tumbler. Her goal as an individual cheerleader is to become a better flyer and to further advance in her tumbling skills. As for the squad, she would simply like them to do well at competitions.

As a cheerleader, Elise has stated that she does feel pressure to set a good example for others and to always be on her best behavior. The toughest thing about being a cheerleader, according to Elise, is being able to get along with your team mates constantly and knowing that everyone is only as good as the person next to them. To be a cheerleader, one must make sure they attend every practice; they do what they are supposed to when they’re asked to, and they must cheer their heart out! Elise would like to make cheerleading a part of her future. Her goal is to appear on TV in about 2 or 3 years on the Making the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader show. Good luck to you Elise!

November 17, 2007, "Cheering in the Spirit of Giving" will be the next upcoming cheer competition at Cornerstone Christian Academy off of 410 and Vance Jackson. Stevens High School will be attending, so be sure to watch for Elise and her squad. Other schools that will also be attending this competition will be Central Catholic High School, Cheerific’s International Open Squad, Warren High School, Taft High School, and others. This Thanksgiving-themed competition will have High School and All Star teams giving canned and dry good donations to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. The school or All Star gym with the most donations will receive special prizes and recognition.

By next week I will have the results of this competition. Good Luck to all teams competing! If you have any questions or have any information to share about your cheer team, please email me at Azhdg@yahoo.com.


Azhar Gonzalez is our SAsports.com Cheerleading columnist for the 2007-2008 school year. Azhar has been in cheer since she was eight years old. She has been involved with the TCCA Stallions, San Antonio Jets, Holy Cross Knights, Alamo Cheer Sports, and currently with Cheerific’s International Coed Squad. Eash week she will give our readers a better understanding of the cheerleading world by interviewing cheerleaders from different schools and organizations, and posting up major competitions and information on different cheer teams.

Week 1 - HERE!
Week 2 - HERE!