Courtesy of Fredonia Cheerleading
BROOKE ATKINS
Social Media Manager
As four seniors walked into Steele Hall on Saturday, emotions ran wild. The day they never thought would come finally arrived.
Four years of long practices, games and dedication came down to this past weekend, when they performed for the last time.
Escorted out by their families, each senior was recognized and spoken about.
The first senior, Jess Fico, described her past four years as a challenging experience.
“College cheerleading requires more skill and it is challenging but the best experience is seeing how much you have grown from freshman year,” Fico said.
When asked what she will miss most about Fredonia, a sad sigh was let out.
“I am going to miss the life I have built in Fredonia and how independent I am without having too many responsibilities, like a real person job,” Fico laughed.
Fredonia holds a special place in Fico’s heart; it is where she learned about herself. She shared advice to any incoming freshman that helped her during her four years.
“Really involve yourself in every opportunity because this time goes by fast. Maximize every opportunity. Have fun and surround yourself with good people,” said Fico.
With regard to cheerleading in the future, Jess hopes to apply to be the varsity cheerleading coach for her high school.
Next up was senior base Layla Deluca. Saturday was not only a special day because it was her senior game, but she got to share it with her parents who drove in from Long Island to escort her.
“I am going to miss the sport of cheerleading and being a part of a team. There is no feeling like performing and competing,” Deluca answered when asked what she is going to miss most.
Deluca would tell any incoming freshman to enjoy every minute of college because it goes by too fast.
“Everyone says the friends you meet in college will be your lifelong friends — well, that couldn’t be more true. I have met my forever friends,” Deluca said, smiling.
“Keep them close and don’t take them for granted — they have become my family.”
Deluca went on to share her favorite memory of cheerleading the past four years at Fredonia.
“Just being apart of the team and meeting the girls who have become some of my closest friends. This team has helped shape me into the person I am today and I am grateful for that.”
In the future, Deluca hopes to become a cheerleading coach and be able to share her passion with others, “and maybe make it to the Olympics for something cool,” Deluca laughed.
The third senior on the team is Amanda Chella.
Saturday was not only a time of saying goodbye to her college cheerleading career, but a realization that soon other things will be coming to an end.
“I am going to miss being with my friends all the time. I have been living with my best friends for the past four years— I don’t know what I am going to do without them. There is never a dull moment,” Chella said.
“I will also miss constantly learning new things and that sense of accomplishment and pride when I finish an impossible assignment.”
When asked what her favorite memory was she couldn’t pick because everything has been special, but she chose a time where hard work paid off.
“In Disney my sophomore year one of the upperclassmen got a concussion the day before we had to compete, [my coach] put me in as a flyer,” Chella said. “I was terrified, but with the help and support of my teammates I was able to get over my fear. It really just showed the power of teamwork and motivation.”
As far as cheerleading in Amanda’s future, she does not believe her body could handle it. She hopes to stay involved in other ways.
The fourth and final senior is Jailyn Weiss. When asked how she was feeling about senior day, she answered excitedly.
“There was a different type of energy from my team and from the crowd. When we went out to perform for the last time it hit me … I was done forever and it made me sad,” Weiss said.
Not only being apart of the team, Weiss will miss the girls the most.
“I have made so many friends and love them all so much, it is going to be hard to leave them,” she said.
With regard to Weiss’s future in cheerleading, she hopes to become a coach.
“I know for a fact my kids will be cheerleaders,” she added.
Another set of cheerleaders is graduating, and this part of the senior’s lives is coming to an end, but the memories they made will last them a lifetime.