West Side Story: How many years have you been on cheer and what positions have you had?

Leiya Rodriguez: I have been in cheer for three years, I took a break my junior year. I have been a flyer and a base.

WSS: What initially drew you to cheer?

LR: I just kind of fell in love with the sport ever since I was younger. I would say the environment and being around people that like the same things as I did, and bonding with people.

WSS: Do you have any favorite memories with the team?

LR: I would say my favorite memory is my sophomore year, when we were going to state our competition. We were on our way home, and everyone was doing karaoke on the bus and just having a good time. It was really fun.

WSS: Is there anything you feel like cheer has taught you?

LR: To be kind to everyone, because you never know what another person is going through. Definitely that.

WSS: What made you want to pursue cheer in college?

LR: To see how much better I could become and like, develop my skills. Also to be around people who are just at a higher level than me and see what they can teach me.

WSS: Is there anything you feel like you specifically have contributed to the team?

LR: I think like, my positivity. My freshman year there was a lot of toxicity, but then my sophomore year we had lot’s of new people and we were all nicer and I definitely think I contributed to that.

WSS: What’s your favorite part of being on the team?

LR: Seeing how, sometimes, people who are really shy join the team and getting to see them come out of their shell and blossom with the team is really great.

WSS: Do you have any goals that you hope the team keeps working at?

LR: Just getting to and placing at nationals.