By Samantha Reyes ‘19
This past cheerleading season was another successful one for our very own Passaic Indian Cheerleaders. The co-ed group has gone through some hardships but strong friendships and a supporting cheerleading staff battles that heavily.
The team, entering as back to back Big North champions, placed second in the Bash for Cash Cheer and Dance Extreme National Competition in Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 17 to end an amazing season. This is the first time in PHS history that the team was able to attend a national competition.
“Second place at a first time National championship is great news to me” said head coach, Angelina Merced, “as the head coach for the last five years, I am super proud of where we came from and where we are going. As one of the songs from our award winning routine says, ‘started from the bottom now we’re here’ could not be more than the truth.”
Merced empowered and put needed tough love on her cheerleaders through difficult situations and hard times. Assistant Manager Hayleis De Los Santos, stated that the team started from a new foundation all the way to national champions and winning Big North once again.
“It took a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s gone from early to late night practices. The school had basically become our new home. We always kept our grades up because we had a good support group with exceptional coaches” DeLosSantos said.
DeLosSantos also mentions being graced with such an important position as assistant manager, who gets to see amateur cheerleaders grow to near professional college level.
Cheerleading isn’t all about cartwheels, basket tosses or even perfecting a cupie, the value of friendship is strong through every team member. Despite some people not recognizing cheerleading as a sport, it is just as competitive and physically challenging as any other sport.
“I took over this team with only 12 cheerleaders. I am proud and honored to say we competed this year with 35 cheerleaders, 15 of which are males – the most on a high school team in New Jersey. I am the current coach of the year for a third consecutive time and very happy with my cheer family!” said Merced.
Seniors: Nathalia Severino, Bruce Ransom, Nicole Rosario, Angel Feliz, Reynaldo DeLaCruz, Brandon Velez, Chelsea Ceron, Lenny Rodriguez, Mena Concepcion, Jennifer Pimentel, Genesis DeLosSantos, Erika Fabian, Lorryanne Mendez, Ke’ara Benitez, Sebastian Plasencia, Wilda Taveras
Captains: Nathalia Severino, Nicole Rosario, Chelsea Ceron, Angel Feliz, Wilda Tavares, Erika Fabian
Coaches: Ms. Merced and Mr. Pena
Photos by:
Ms. Angelina Merced
Carolina Dedios
Mr. Mario Peña
