The winter 25-26 season, which draws to a close in early February, has been more than just cheering from the sidelines for the Lewis cheerleaders; it’s been about growth, teamwork and unforgettable moments.

Lewis’ Winter Cheer started out just three years ago with only seven athletes on the team. Today, the team numbers twenty-two athletes. Since the team’s creation, it has been coached by Coach Amber Ucekay and Coach Katie Anderson.

Lewis’ Winter Varsity Cheer isn’t the same sport as Fall Varsity Cheer. The winter team is responsible for sideline cheers for basketball. Unlike for the fall season, there are no competitions, competition routines, or stunting. (Because the cheers are done on the sidelines, there is no stunting.)

There are a few athletes from the fall team who joined the winter team, but there are also many who have never even cheered before. If cheer is new to you, this could be a great opportunity to try out and advance in the sport.  

Every season comes with its challenges, and this season was no different. For captain Jennifer Manzanares, the biggest challenge has been the cheers themselves. “It’s been having to learn new cheers. I believe we are the only winter cheer team that does stomp and shake cheers, so it can be really hard,” Manzanares Martinez said 

The team has stayed determined and motivated as they faced the challenges of learning new cheers and learning to work as a team of new and returning, experienced athletes. 

Along with the challenges came unforgettable moments for the team. Co-captain senior Viadis Villegas-Hernandez shared that her favorite moment of the season came through a team-building activity that Coach Ucekay created. “As a captain, I would say we had many memorable moments, but my top one is the time when we all wrote positive things about each other–there’s twenty two of us on the team–and afterwards reading what everyone said and realizing how much we really mean to each other,” Villegas- Hernandez said. 

These moments definitely helped bring the team closer and reminded each of the athletes why they cheer and pursue a sport for which they are so passionate.

Lewis’ Winter Cheer team has seen major growth over the last three years. Coach Ucekay explained what it means to watch the team develop over the last couple years through a consistent group of committed athletes. “For two years in a row, we were able to have over twenty on our team,” Ucekay said

The progress shows how much dedication the athletes have put in the winter cheer program, and word is spreading and attracting future Lewis cheerleaders. Coach Ucekay loves to see the team’s growth over such a short period of time. “It makes me feel like people trust me as a coach, and I love to see all these new athletes coming out and trying something new,” Ucekay said.

 While game days for Boys and Girls’ Basketball are fun and exciting, the team spends hours before the game starts by practicing chants and cheers and formations to be ready for the basketball games. 

Practices require participation, focus, and communication between every cheerleader. The cheerleaders work hard with balancing cheer and their academic responsibilities. Their dedication truly stands out and does not go without getting noticed.

The Lewis Winter Cheer Team, which started as a small team just three years ago, has turned into something so much bigger over time. This team has evolved into an amazing and impressive, synchronized group of athletes. This is simply only the beginning for this program with its bright future, and the cheerleaders, fans, and the Lewis athletic community cannot wait to see what’s next for them!

Writer Angie Villalobos Mendez is a member of the 2025-2026 Lewis Winter Cheer Team.