Cheer Team Remains Hopeful for a New Coach
GFHS cheer team cheers for Godinez football players at the rivalry game against Valley High School.
October 20, 2021
For the 2021-22 school year, new challenges await Godinez Fundamental High School (GFHS) cheerleaders as they still don’t have a coach.
Although the pandemic changed many, one of the most affected programs was the athletic program at GFHS. For the cheer team, specifically, it has changed the way they used to practice.
Without a coach, after school practice is difficult. After great news at our rival game, it was announced that our cheer team was confirmed with a cheer coach. But, there is still no cheer coach.
As the crowd cheered with excitement at the rivalry game against Valley High School, many did not. Our cheer girls struggle to train themselves at daily practices
Many cheerleaders were unmotivated to continue practicing like they used to in previous years. They are expected to keep training often after school.
Cheer Captains, Ashley Nuñez and Isabelle Mendoza are responsible for guiding daily practices.
“I was honestly really excited to be voted captain by the rest of my cheer mates. I felt like I was trusted to do something important and especially now since we don’t have a coach, so I am just happy to help out,” said Nuñez.
But, even that has not been easy.
“The cheer team has not practiced at all since March of 2020,” said Mendoza.
A typical practice has been different where their own cheerleaders have to support each other.
“The typical practice is a lot of teaching new girls the same thing that we’ve been doing since freshman year and it’s just doing a lot of the basics. It’s things we have been doing since the end of eighth grade,” said Mendoza.
Although the both captains have similar perspectives over the situation of missing a coach they still keep a positive attitude.
“We had to teach the girls a lot of new things and we have been putting our own time and our own money and effort into making the team what it used to be but without much stunting,” said Mendoza
New Athletic Director Bill Snyder tries to adjust despite the challenges.
“It’s confirmed that we have a new coach but I don’t want to say names quite yet, the district process is very long,” said Snyder.
The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) gave a harder time to continue sports due to COVID-19 cases. Schools including GFHS had to cancel all sports to meet the requirements of safety with everyone.
“It’s challenging, I have been teaching for more than 27 years as a teacher. I was very comfortable in the classroom. I do miss the students on a daily basis but I’m enjoying the new challenge,” added Snyder.
The Athletic Department has been trying to recover from the lack of training with all sports.
“Right now, we are rebuilding and restarting our programs. Many of our programs did not participate last year, so we are gathering students to participate and coaches to coach and get back to practice of full participating and gains of competing,” said Snyder.
Cheerleaders like our captains are concerned about not having a new coach.
“We are making progress,” added Synder.
English and AVID teacher, Selene Pola, is the cheer coach of record for the meanwhile.
“It’s overwhelming managing two big teams. I am trying my best to give them good work outs and good times to practice their skills, so that they are benefiting from sixth period athletics,” said Pola.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“We are forward to getting back on the mats and to the potential that we were in our sophomore year,” concluded Nuñez.
Editor’s Note: During Friday’s, Oct. 22, broadcast, it was announced that GFHS alum, Alexys Soto, is the new cheer coach.
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Dominic • Jan 6, 2022 at 9:09 pm
It is upsetting that the cheer team was negatively affected by losing their coach. I feel like it is a big Nuisance for the cheerleaders to be practicing without a coach. After school practices are difficult and not having a coach has impacted them. “Many cheerleaders were unmotivated to continue practicing like they used to” to be honest, I don’t blame them I could imagine how hard it is practicing by themselves with no coach. “After great news at our rival game, it was announced that our cheer team was confirmed with a cheer coach” This is really good to hear because now the cheerleaders can be less stressed and not have to worry as much.
Kimberly peña • Nov 2, 2021 at 11:27 pm
While hearing about the cheer team struggling to practice by themselves without a coach was very upsetting. They are so ADROIT because they have been able to perform by learning among themselves and it’s not easy. “Our cheer girls struggle to train themselves at daily practices” even if it was a hard struggle they still managed not a lot of people wouldn’t like to stay and be stressed out about how it’s going to turn out but they managed and it makes me proud. “It’s confirmed that we have a new coach but I don’t want to say names quite yet” Now that’s it has been confirmed it just makes it so much less stressful for these girls that worked so hard and I admire that they never gave up and keep their motivation.
Fernanda Quijada • Oct 27, 2021 at 6:44 pm
One of the most affected teams in the whole school has been the cheer team. With no coach it must be very very hard. The cheer team has learned a lot even without having a cheer coach. These girls have tried their best and the two cheer captains have done an amazing job teaching the team. With no coach these girls have been AVID and responsible on coming in and learning dances and cheers for all the games they have been in. It is amazing how they continue and do not give up.
Diana I. • Oct 26, 2021 at 11:19 pm
It’s really devastating to hear that the cheerleading team is facing major challenges. “We had to teach the girls a lot of new things and we have been putting our own time and our own money and effort into making the team what it used to be but without much stunting.” It is very impressive and inspiring that these amazing avid girls had the motivation and hope to stay. I truly wish them all the best!
Fatima Mancilla • Oct 26, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Covid-19 has negatively impacted the HAPLESS cheer team in so many ways. As stated, “Many cheerleaders were unmotivated to continue practicing like they used to in previous years.” Meaning that the cheerleaders were still expected to practice even without a coach which was another struggle the cheer team encountered. To change this, Sydner said, “Many of our programs did not participate last year, so we are gathering students to participate and coaches to coach and get back to practice of full participating and gains of competing.” This is a very good way to keep faith in sports especially in cheer because it’s always good to be positive even in the worst times.
Lia • Oct 26, 2021 at 9:03 pm
The cheer team was very affected by the loss of their old coach. In the article it states “without a coach, after school practice is difficult.” More specifically it was the most affected sport here at Godinez High school because there was no coach as well as it changed the way they used to practice and really have not had real practice since March 2020. Due to the fact they have no coach they still have the support they give to one another. “I was honestly really excited to be voted captain by the rest of my cheer mates. I felt like I was trusted to do something important and especially now since we don’t have a coach, so I am just happy to help out,” said Nuñez. There are 2 cheer team captains, one of which was voted for. The cheer team has remained hopeful that they will find a new coach but as of right now they are training themselves. The cheer team members are very ADROIT at doing what they know best.
Carlos Valenzo • Oct 26, 2021 at 10:26 am
Right now one of the most affected programs is cheerleading, who has not had a coach for the new 21-22 year . “Many cheerleaders were unmotivated to continue practicing like they used to in previous years. They are expected to keep training often after school”. Overall sacrifices are being made so that the program can keep going.”We had to teach the girls a lot of new things and we have been putting our own time and our own money and effort into making the team what it used to be but without much stunting,” said Mendoza. It is also very inspiring to see that the girls haven’t gave up. The captains leading by example and showing the new girls how its done . I prognosticate that the cheer is going to be back on track and better then ever.
Guadalupe Hernandez • Oct 25, 2021 at 8:35 pm
Well first of all, I am sorry to hear the challenges that are occurring in the cheerleading program. So there is no option for any coach at all? I love how the girls despite the circumstances have still gone to games to support and show off the performances they have tried to put together. We truly have INTREPID young girls persevering. I wish them the best truly!