ISSUE 3: Robinson’s Cheer Squad Breaks Records and Takes Names

Robinson’s own Cheerleading Team went to both the State’s Semi-Finals and Finals on Feb. 3 in Lakeland. At this competition, they performed against other schools in the state, achieving an 81.4 of 100. This was the team’s highest score in Robinson history. They won 6th place at the State competition.

The Cheerleading squad also went to Nationals the following week, Feb. 10-12, in Orlando. During this competition, they managed to score a 76 out of 100, earning the placement of 4th place in the Nation.

Coach Brianna Godfrey, the leading coach of the cheerleading team, speaks about the major improvement she had seen throughout the season.

“56.7 was our first score, and then our last score of the season was an 81.4. So, we had a crazy amount of growth over 3 months of practice. It was incredible,” she said.

Breaking records and winning high placements takes not just effort but also sacrifice. With such an ambitious season, a substantial amount of time and effort was expected from all team members.

Kameron Padgett (’24), a base on the cheerleading team, had given up a large amount of time in preparation for this season’s competitions.

“We would take off our breaks. I would take off summer vacation time just for practice,” Padgett said. “But I would say it was worth it. Me taking time out of my vacation time and my weekends really worked out in my favor.”

Addy McDowell (’24), Cheerleading Team Co-Captain, emphasizes the effort that has been put into the performance.

“We worked our butts off all season, and it was worth it,” McDowell said. “We had the highest score ever, which is really cool, because it shows the amount of work and dedication we put toward this team.”

A major factor in this record-breaking season is new coach Peter Lezin, joining the team’s support alongside Coach Briana Godfrey in Aug. 2023.

“We had gotten a new coach too. Peter Lezin just started this year. He came to cheer as he used to cheer at Robinson,” Padgett said. “One of the best coaches in the area; he improved upon our team so much.”

The members of the Cheerleading squad had taken a differing approach to the season’s practice, focusing on the mental fortitude that is integral to the sport.

“Throughout my seasons, we’ve had a lot of ups and downs. But the past year, our Coach Peter has helped us get into the right mindset,” McDowell said. “This season has really been about mindset and mind-over-matter. I feel that’s really helped us grow, as a team, closer and work towards our goal. He’s definitely made us more passionate about what we do.”

With a record-breaking team, a brand-new ambitious coach and a focus on the mentality over the sport, only the high ceiling of the gymnasium was the limit for the Robinson Cheerleading Squad during this season.

About the Contributors

Jordan De La Cruz, Staff Writer

Jordan De La Cruz is a junior at Robinson and a staff writer for Knight Writers. This is his first year on the staff. A true artist, De La Cruz partakes in many artistic hobbies including playing drums, guitar and even painting. "Anything creative I love to take part in," De La Cruz said. With an affinity for editing videos and having already written a few full-length stories, De La Cruz's passions for newspaper extend beyond the class. He felt joining newspaper would benefit his interests and wanted to expand his already formidable writing abilities. "As a writer I felt like this would be a super fun way to expand my influences with writing but also with the video editing," De La Cruz said. "I already have a good past in video editing that I think doing more of it would be great." While De La Cruz enjoys the opportunity to express his writing abilities, video creation is another thing that drew De La Cruz to newspaper. He looks forward to making content for the ongoing "Man on the street" videos under the Knight Mic series. De La Cruz looks forward to being able to build on the foundation left by previous classes and hopes to expand the coverage of Knight Mic videos beyond pep rallies and RHS sporting events. "I'm excited to be a host, be able to put my charisma on the screen," De La Cruz said. "Just being able to make videos with two friends of mine, I'm really excited." Never staying in one school for long, De La Cruz looks forward to finishing his final years at Robinson and leaving his mark on the school as a Knight Writer. "I used to move every year, but this is the only time I'm going to be able to finish the next three years at the same high school," De La Cruz said. "I'm super hopeful ... [that] I'll be able to have some sort of mark on the school." (Profile by Yesenia Rosario)

Keirra McGoldrick, Opinion Editor

Keirra McGoldrick is senior at Robinson and the Opinion Editor of Knight Writers. This is her third year on staff and her second year as an editor. McGoldrick, as an editor, must provide a sense of direction and help for those coming into newspaper who may not quite know what they need to be doing. She must also make sure that all stories written by staff writers are up to par with that of the standard for the newspaper. “I edit all the opinion stories and make spreadsheets for opinion writers," McGoldrick said. McGoldrick may like writing in journalism, though nothing trumps her love of photography. She lists photography as one of her favorite hobbies and pass times outside of journalism. “I like photography," McGoldrick said. "I take pictures of anything I find interesting." Though McGoldrick has to keep up a balance of her academics and the needs of newspaper, she hopes to have enough time to join the photography club. She wishes to do this in order to interact and convey her love of photography with other like-minded students at Robinson. Being the academic achiever that she is, McGoldrick keeps up with all of her classes. The two of these classes that she holds closest to her heart are journalism and history. However, she probably favors journalism a little more because it has her favorite teacher, Ms. Webster, who leads her to improve herself in all manner of things, especially photography. Outside of journalism, one of McGoldrick’s pastimes is to listen to music. As we know everyone needs a little bit of music to pull them through a slow school day, or just a slow day in general. “I like R&B and pop," McGoldrick said. “Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Ariana Grande, etc." High school isn't all McGoldrick has mapped out to do. Seeing as she is an academic achiever, McGoldrick already has plans for her future. She plans to keep her academic streak going through college. “I plan on going to university and majoring in criminal psychology and then after I graduate from normal college, I’m going to go get a PhD,” McGoldrick said. (Profile by Coleton Rone)

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ISSUE 3: Robinson’s Cheer Squad Breaks Records and Takes Names

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