In 2023, Lakes Community High School’s cheer team had nine seniors. This year there is only one. Being the only senior on the cheerleading team can be both challenging and rewarding. Lakes Varsity Cheer Captain, Kendall Anderson describes this role as “intimidating” yet rewarding. The seventeen-year-old has been cheering  since she was twelve.  Her role on the team is a side base and while this is her last year cheering, her impact on Lakes Cheer is tremendous. 

The 2023 cheer season had nine seniors, but 2024 only had one. At first, Kendall describes being the only senior as intimidating because she felt that she had to live up to what the prior seniors were like. The summer practices were difficult to lead, but she became more comfortable as time passed. She describes herself as being “very supportive and welcoming.” She wants to ensure the underclassmen have someone older that they can look up to. Kendall takes the lead when the girls struggle with tumbling, she encourages them and tells them to “go back to the basics and rework the skill.” When asked what she would miss the most about Lakes Cheer, Kendall explained how she’s going to miss the team environment, “even when we had our differences, we still have a really good bond.” She is going to miss seeing the girls every day when she graduates. 

Maya Pannock, Kendall’s teammate and close friend, has been cheering with Kendall for 3 years. Maya is a main base but can also step in as a side base. Maya describes Kendall as “uplifting” and a good “role model.” She thinks of Kendall as a leader, who always tries to make the team bond together and grow like family. “Kendall is a very dedicated athlete,” she never backs down from challenges. She never misses tumbling practice and always gets extra reps in. Kendall is always “hyped” up, cheering everyone on and making sure everyone is doing their best. Maya’s favorite memory throughout the years of cheering with Kendall is their specific pose. Every game and competition they do their pose and take a picture. They have a collage of photos documenting this pose, which is a cherished tradition. Maya admires Kendall’s dedication as an athlete, her consistent hard work in tumbling and cheer, and her motivational spirit. Kendall is always encouraging others to be their best. 

“If going backwards is your biggest fear, don’t throw a back-hand-spring. Start with the basics and rework the skill.”

 

Returning cheerleaders that will be seniors next year:

• Pietra Coelho
• Allison Gedville
• Dylan Miles
• Gabrielle Neal
• Maya Panock
• Leanna Zalapi