Pom-Poms, Passion, and Purpose: The Road to The Final Season

At Washingtonville High School, our students are well-versed in athletics and school spirit. Everyone's favorite time of the school year is Friday night light, the football season. The entire student section goes all out, players are on fire, and everyone is having the time of their lives. One of the biggest supporters of the football team is the Varsity Cheer team. I had the opportunity to talk with one of Washingtonville’s Varsity Cheerleaders, Alyssa Andino. Andino has been cheering for the Wizards since she was a kid. She joined the High School’s varsity team in her freshman year for winter cheer and fall cheer. Throughout her high school career, she has dedicated her heart and soul to cheer. Andino is about to enter her senior year of high school and final year as a Wizard Cheerleader. We discussed her goals for her final year, memories, and most importantly, why sports matter.

Sports impacts many different athletes and people in many different ways. For Andino, cheerleading started at the age of 7. However, she didn’t find her love and passion for it until the year after;

Q: How old were you when you found your love for cheer?

A: “They put me in when I was 7, but I found my love for it a year later. When my mom put me into cheer, I hated it the first year, but when my mom asked me to do it again, I was really excited.”

As the years went on, her love for the sport grew and grew with every season. The hours of practice, friendships built in the team, and the thrill and excitement of performing in front of the school deepened her passion for cheer. Cheer became more than just a sport for her. It became a key part of who Andino is.

Q: How much have sports, especially cheer, impacted your life?

A: “It gave me things to look forward to like going to practices, seeing friends, and gameday with the team.”

Alyssa is now over halfway through her junior year and has finished up her junior season for fall and winter cheer. Going into the summer of her senior year, she looks towards improvement and a good preseason. Andino has many different hopes and ideas going into the final season.

Q: Are there any traditions or team values you wish to carry over as a senior?

A: “I am really excited to possibly start up cheer camp again. It will be my last year doing it and I'm really looking forward to it.”

In the past, the Wizards Cheer team would take a trip to the Pine Forest Cheer Camp before the football season. This camp is a huge way for these cheerleaders to create memories and build up team strength and bonds. This past season, the team did not get to make their trip to the camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania. However, Andino has hope that they will join the camp again this upcoming fall season. Going into her senior season, Andino hopes to make a mark on the team. She has high hopes for the future JV and Varsity members;

Q: What are your hopes and expectations for your senior year and final year of cheer?

A: “To have a better team where it's not cliquey. I hope to bring everyone together this year and just enjoy the time together, not let anyone make it unenjoyable.”

For Andino, unity and inclusivity are very important to her and what the team should be. She looks towards making every team member feel valued and connected, both JV and Varsity, in order for her final season with the wizards to be one to remember. As she looks towards the future of the team, she looks to create an environment where everyone can thrive, bond, and make the most of their experience.

During my interview with Alyssa, I asked her to reflect on her time as a Wizard, from the challenges the team faced to the memories made along the way. Being a part of a group like this brings experience from the highs of performing to the hard struggles they may have faced. Andino shares her advice and experience for those who hope to follow after the upperclassmen.

Q: Looking back on your experience, what would you tell your freshman self about cheerleading

A: “It's going to be hard because there are a lot of bumps in the road, so i’d just tell myself to overcome them as best as you can and savor every moment”

People tend to look towards cheer as just routines and performances. However, it means so much more to these Wizards, it’s a test of resilience and dedication. While expressing that the journey isn’t always as perfect and easy as it may seem, she found that every obstacle faced is an opportunity to grow. Andino encourages the upcoming athletes to push through these tough times and take in the moment. She wishes that everyone appreciates every opportunity given, no matter how big or small it may be.

Q: What advice would you give incoming students who are looking to try out this summer?

A: “Have patience because you will need it, and work as hard as you can”

Trying something new can be very nerve-racking and requires toughness, both physically and mentally. Andino has been through these tryouts and has stressed the importance of patience, as it takes time for people to develop their skills. The key is to put in hard work.

As we finished the interview, it was clear that Alyssa’s time as a Wizard had shaped her in more than one way. It became a journey of perseverance, personal growth, and community. After facing these challenges and making lifelong memories along the way, she learned a lesson that went far beyond the sidelines.

Q: Why do sports matter?

A: “Sports matter because a lot of people can use sports to get away from their real life. They are like a safe space for a lot of people, and if they were to go away, it would be difficult. Sports provide a sense of comfort for people and create a huge community.”

Sports are so much more than just a competition to not only Andino but to any athlete. Sports serve as a way to connect and show your true passion with those around you. As she prepares to move onto her final year of Wizards Cheer, she looks to leave a legacy of hard work, determination, and dedication-one that will continue to inspire those who will follow in her footsteps.