Fall cheerleading has arrived; the new school year means saying goodbye to old teammates. This year there are both new and old faces that will greet you at football games, pep rallies, fundraisers, and more! Tryouts for the EPHS Cheer Team took place on May 23, 2025.
All cheerleaders, coached by Danielle Mesikapp, are enjoying the fall season! In practice, we prepared for our Homecoming routine and performed this routine at the pep rally and at the Homecoming football game at the Tiger stadium on September 19.
We interviewed four girls to hear their thoughts about this team! We interviewed at least one from each grade, although, this year, we did not have any freshmen make the Varsity Sideline Team. You will be hearing from Anabella Acara, Ava Losurdo, Sophia Casella, and Iris Kupiec. We asked each of them what they like most about cheerleading, what their position is, and what they like and dislike about their position.
Interviews
Anabella Arcara is a sophomore on the team; this is her first year being on the EPHS Varsity Cheer Team. The thing that Annabella likes most about cheer is flying because it is fun and she enjoys being in the air along with being with her teammates. Anabella is a flyer; she likes learning and hitting new skills with her stunt group. She dislikes falling in the air because it can be scary, especially when learning new skills. The final question we asked Anabella was: Why did you decide to try out for cheer? Anabella has cheered all three years of middle school and was known for her back handsprings. She chose not to try out last year but was encouraged by many to try out this year.
Ava Losurdo is a sophomore on the team and is really enjoying it! Ava likes cheer because she gets to spend time with friends and learn new skills and stunts. She also likes that she gets to work with lots of different people. Ava is a flyer; she likes that she gets to be in the air because it’s something that you can’t always do. She dislikes when a stunt goes wrong because she may fall to the ground depending on the situation. The final question we asked Ava was: What blocks did you face while learning a new skill? One mental block Ava faced was not being able to do a back handspring but having the capability to do so. To get over this, she got spotted multiple times over and over and became more confident.
(Dave Porreca )
Sophia Casella is a junior and is constantly happy and always able to bring the motivation of the team up! Sophia likes cheerleading because it allows her to express her school spirit while working together with her team to create energy and excitement. It also challenges her to physically and mentally build up her confidence and strength. Sophia’s position is a side base. She likes being a side base because she gets to support her flyer and make sure the stunts are strong and stable. It makes her feel proud knowing her strength and teamwork can help keep the routine successful. The final question we asked was: What’s your favorite position out of all the positions you have done throughout the years? Why? When Sophia was a freshman, her position was a backspot. She enjoyed being a backspot, but she enjoys her current position (a side base) even more. Backspotting for Sophia wasn’t her favorite because she likes being involved in the stunt more, and basing makes her feel that way.
Iris Kupiec is one of our two seniors on the team this year. Iris is a great addition to the team and brings great energy! Iris said that the thing she likes mose about cheerleading is being able to be around her friends and make new ones as well. Iris told us that she is a base and enjoys this position because she likes lifting up people since she is strong. The only time she dislikes this position is when she is unable to lift up someone since she holds herself to a high standard. The final question we asked Iris was: Why did you try out for the team this year? Iris told us that she decided to try out for cheer this year because it’s her senior year and she wanted to try something new. She also tells us that she likes the uniforms and how she looks in them.
The EPHS Varsity Cheer Team is filled with both old and new discovered talent this year. Everyone excitedly shows off all the work they have been putting in the routines this season and are ready for what’s in store. Come support our girls at Tiger Stadium and future events!
Work Cited
S. Casella, personal communication, September 16th, 2025.
A. Losurdo, personal communication, September 16th, 2025.
A. Acara, person communication, September 16th, 2025.
I. Kupiec, personal communication, September 16th, 2025.
