The cheer and dance teams honored their seniors during the girls basketball game on Friday night. At halftime, seniors walked down an aisle of teammates, accompanied by family and friends.
The dance team was recognized first, celebrating their four seniors with flowers and posters. Each dancer was individually announced and met with standing ovations, cheers, and applause from the stands, while friends gathered at the end of the aisle to celebrate and congratulate them.
“I think senior night is a time for everyone on the team and to appreciate all the time we’ve had together before we go our separate ways,” senior dancer and captain Anika Desai said.
“After all my years performing, I felt so connected to my team during senior night. It’s truly an unforgettable experience and I feel so appreciated,” senior dancer and captain Micaela Rubinsky said.
“It’s also really nice how we can take time to be grateful for the friendships we’ve made,” Desai added.
Following the dance team’s recognition, the cheer team celebrated their 11 seniors with sashes, bouquets, and posters. Each member was announced to loud applause from the crowd, with some cheerleaders walking down the aisle alongside family members holding face cutouts and posters. With each senior’s entrance, the gym floor grew more crowded with family members and friends eager to celebrate the graduating athletes on their big night.
“My senior night honestly was something truly unforgettable. I think that the day felt unreal just because I was always so used to making senior posters for the other girls and making sure their night went perfect, just how I always wanted mine to be,” senior cheerleader and captain Ashley Arellano said.
“Sending off our seniors was partially heartbreaking, but what I felt most was pride. They’ve made it to the last year of high school and are ready to take on their future. I’ve gotten close to many seniors through cheer, and they inspired me to have self-confidence in what I have achieved,” junior cheerleader Giulia Cassese said.
Cheer team senior Monte Galvan walks down the aisle. 
Cheer team senior Gabriella Jansen-Olliges* poses with her family and boyfriend. 
Cheer team senior Zoe Jannink smiles with her family and boyfriend. 
Cheer team senior Mia Gomez poses with her family. 
Cheer team senior Kianne Saad holds flowers and poses. 
Cheer team senior Kenzie Evans poses with family. 
Arellano (left) and cheer team senior Grace Fuerte (right) smile with their family. 
Cheer team senior Gabriela Medina holds flowers and smiles with her family. 
Cheer team senior Clara Maciel poses with her family.
“Senior night is truly a night everyone can enjoy, while making sure the amazing seniors get sent off happily,” Cassese said.
“This year, earning my captain role and becoming this role model for the team made this whole senior night experience something I will never forget. Having coaches that consistently push us to become better, and teammates that fulfill those empty holes on rough practices always makes it worth it,” Arellano said.
During the boys basketball game halftime, the dance and cheer teams held special performances to highlight their seniors.
“Being able to say I was a part of the cheer team is something I will always continuously cherish throughout time. Senior night was undoubtedly one of my most memorable days as a senior most definitely and a day in memory lane as a senior graduating this year,” Arellano said.
*Gabriella Jansen-Olliges is a journalist for the M-A Chronicle
