SVHS Cheerleaders are Bringing the School Spirit

As the fall high school sports get underway, cheerleading is right there with them. The girls on the squad have more than just energy and school spirit, they bring along athleticism, strength and dedication to their chosen sport as well.

The cheer squad spends hours preparing for sporting events and school rallies. Their focus is on school spirit and they are involved in school activities on and off the field. The cheer squad aligns themselves with the school band and the Falcon Frenzy club. Together, the clubs get everyone pumped up during the games. 

Cheer season is long, beginning in May, with practices during the summer months and continuing through February.

“There’s a well know saying, ‘Athletes lift weight, cheerleaders lift Athletes,’” said Lauren Niday, a SVHS senior and fourth-year varsity cheerleader.

The squad of 37 girls, both varsity and junior varsity, practice twice a week at Valley Elite Gym in Scotts Valley owned by DeAnna Heywood. 

“These girls work hard and have a lot of talent. My goal this year is to see them compete,” said DeAnna Heywood, SVHS head cheer coach and owner of Valley Elite Gym.

The team’s mascot, Nathanael Schwab, also attends practices to master the cheers. This year, Nathanael is wearing a brand new “Falcon” costume purchased by the Scotts Valley ASB student government.  

To date, the team has only competed at summer cheer camps. This summer, the squad spent four days competitively cheering at Knott’s Berry Farm Resort in Buena Park, Calif. The varsity team earned the Superior Award, the highest award possible for one of their routines. 

Senior Ashley Lakely is a 10-year veteran of cheerleading. She first cheered for PAL football, Scotts Valley Middle School and now is in her fourth year at the high school. She is known as the “Flyer” for the stunts performed. 

“I have to trust the bases and the back spotters,” Ashley said. “This trust is built over time with the team.”   

The cheer squad has a demanding schedule cheering at all home and away football games in the fall and basketball games in the winter. They make break-through signs each week and give out special treats to the football players. A different routine is learned each week and performed at half time. 

“We spend a lot of time together,” said Michele Mayfield, a four-year veteran of the SVHS cheer squad. “I really like the games and will miss SV cheer after I graduate.”

A sport in its own right, cheerleading requires practice, training, team work, coordination and enthusiasm, and the Scotts Valley High School cheer squad has all these traits and so much more.