Name: Ava Casto
Class: Senior
Sport: Sideline Cheer
How long have you been doing cheer?
“This will be my second year of cheering.”
What other sports, if any, do you play at FHC?
“I don’t do any other sports this year, but in the past I did rowing.”
What is your best memory from your time doing cheer?
“My best memory from cheer was probably last year’s (2024) Hoco performance. From after-school practices to the actual performance at our assembly, it was a great way to show off our skills and really work together as a team.”
What is your favorite class this year and why?
“So far, I would say my favorite class is either Senior Creative Writing or Psychology. I love both personal expression through writing, as well as learning about the brain, and just how much the way we think impacts us. It also doesn’t hurt that I have great teachers as well as friends in both of those classes.”
Who is the biggest influence in your athletic career and why?
“I would say some of the biggest influences in any cheerleader’s athletic career are the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They are absolutely the best of the best; they all work incredibly hard to create the atmosphere for the games. I admire their determination and absolute love for the sport. Other than that, I would say that I also really look up to the middle school’s competitive coach, Coach Lori. She is extremely dedicated to what she does; you can tell how much she cares for the team. She is genuinely one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, and I strive for her admiration. Even with our team, she tries to contribute as much as she can, even if no one asks, and even if she isn’t getting a cent out of it. That’s just the kind of person she is.
What are your individual goals for this season?
“This season, my goals are to 1: have all of my jumps high and flexible, 2: have all three of my splits, 3: get the entire team together for at least one bonding activity/hangout, and 4: make this the best last season I could have.”
Do you have any superstitions associated with your games?
“I don’t know if this counts as a superstition necessarily; it’s more of a ritual. Before every game, the whole team gets together and we do a special chant to pump us up and to pump the audience up. I will say, though, that people are very possessive of their poms. If you can’t manage to get straight or newer-looking ones, people assume they are either going to do badly or look bad that game.”
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
“One of my favorite professional athletes would probably have to be Reece from DCC!”
