This year, three senior cheerleaders will be departing SHS: Mikala Porter-Taylor, Kiriana Hunter, and Katherine (Kathy) Castro-Guzman. The Salida High School cheer team is one of the only year long sports because they cheer for all sports during each semester. Some of the things they do at games besides cheering involves passing around gifts for people with the most spartan pride, and they also do many fun halftime dances. The cheer team is also close with the Booster club and helps around when needed. The three departing seniors have significantly influenced the cheer team, leaving a lasting legacy.
Starting with Porter-Taylor, she has made the team a brighter and more welcoming space for all. She has been a captain for two and a half years, the same length of time that she has been doing cheer. Her dedication is not just for the sake of the team, but also because of all the fun she has.
When asked what the cheer team means to her she said, “it’s like another kind of home for me.” Since the end of senior year is coming up, Porter-Taylor has been thinking about her future plans, and she believes she wants to become a bank teller or an accountant.
Hunter is also a team captain and has been cheering for two years. Cheer is incredibly important to her, and she finds a lot of joy from cheering. Hunter plans on getting her bachelor’s degree for early childhood education and becoming a preschool teacher. On the team, she is known for being the ball of energy that everyone truly loves.
“[Cheer means] a lot. It’s like my second family. It feels as if my mom had just a bunch of daughters,” Hunter said.
Castro-Guzman did cheer freshman year and rejoined the team for senior year. Like the two captains, she agreed that the cheer team has been incredibly accepting and enjoyable to be on. She loves reflecting on how she’s grown with the team. After graduating, she plans on getting a bachelor’s degree in music education.
Guzman said, “they are the most wonderful people ever. It’s just like a great place to be together and just learn.”
All three are excited about where the rest of their season will lead. Even after they leave, they would highly recommend joining the cheer team as they’ve found a lot of joy and family through the sport.
“We’re amazing, we try our hardest, we love you guys, tell people to join. And it’s really fun, but join next year even though we won’t be there, but we love you,” all three seniors said.