Senior Alyssa Enriquez wrapped up her final season on NDB’s varsity Sideline Cheer team. She has been cheering ever since the eighth grade, and she has dedicated 4 years of her career on the NDB Spirit Squad.

The Catalyst (TC): How was cheering at your final game for Serra HS on April 3rd?
Alyssa Enriquez (AE): It was definitely different, because of all the new protocols. Obviously, we did have to wear masks. We also had to stand in a different area than usual. Usually, we stand right in front of the bleachers, but this time we had to stand off to the side closer to the entrance.

TC: Have there been any more plans for the Cheer team since the Serra game?
AE: We heard that we might be able to cheer at some basketball games, but we’re not really sure about that yet. I like cheering at basketball games better, because it is louder indoors. You get to be a lot closer to the players versus football when it’s harder to see everyone. They also said we are planning to have a virtual banquet to celebrate seniors since this is going to be our last year.

TC: How do you feel about wrapping up your final year on the Cheer team as a senior?

AE: It’s very bittersweet. I’m going to miss it a lot. It was something that I was very committed to for four years, and this is really not how any of us imagined it ending. [I] definitely [have] mixed emotions, [and] I feel a little bit of everything.

TC: Will you continue cheering in college? Or will you be finished cheering after high school?
AE: Right now, I don’t plan to cheer in college. I mean, who knows? I’m more of a never say never, so maybe in a few years further down the line. But, right now I really don’t think I’ll be cheering in college.

TC: What was your favorite part of the season, despite the pandemic?
AE: My favorite part of the season was practice, because we got to see each other, even if it was only for an hour. I know we didn’t get the season we would have usually gotten, but it was so nice to see everyone, and to be able to have one game as a team.