Originally Posted January 20, 2021
By Derrick Smith
There is a lot required in order for an athlete to be the best they can be at their sport. They have to be willing to put in the time and effort to become stronger physically and mentally.
Woodward High School’s Angelica Martinez says that while putting in the work is important, there are other things that are important too.
“You have to be committed to your team,” she said. “You have to be reliable and willing to do all the hard work and extra stuff to be your best.”
As a sophomore at Woodward High School, Angelica is a member of the Boomers cheer squad. She is a base and a tumbler. While this is her first year as a member of the school cheer team, Martinez has been cheering with All-Star cheer for four years.
There have been various people that she has looked up to during her cheer career, but Angelica says that there is one person who is a role model for her.
“Lexi Brumback is someone that I look up to,” she said. “She is a cheerleader and a celebrity, and I strive to work towards my goals the way that she does.”
While it is important, learning may not always be fun. But for Martinez, she says that one of her teachers showed her differently.
“I am thankful for Mr. Henderson,” she said. “He taught me that learning can actually be enjoyable. I always enjoy his class and he is probably my favorite teacher.”
She has enjoyed a lot of great moments with her teammates and made some unforgettable memories, but she says that there is one moment that stands out as her favorite.
“Making it to Game Day State is by far my favorite moment in cheer,” she said. “Being able to enjoy it with my squad made it even more memorable.”
Martinez was first introduced to cheer when she was in elementary school and now she hopes to play the same role.
“When I was nine, I used to enjoy watching the high school cheerleaders,” she said. “I just thought they were so cool and wanted to be just like them. I hope to be that kind of an example to the younger girls in the stands now.”
