The victory marks a milestone for the team, Sierra Vista High Dons, and Baldwin Park Unified School District, as it is the first time a team from the District has won this title.
Competing against 486 teams in the preliminaries, Sierra Vista advanced to the finals alongside 183 other teams. With a strong routine and their highest score of the season—96.77—the team earned a spot among the 50 national champions crowned at the event.
“This is our first time advancing to finals and winning,” coach Rozanna Soria said. “With every competition, this team improved, but by nationals, they looked like a different team. The constant changes to refine our routine and ensure judges enjoyed it gave us the confidence to go in believing we had what it takes to win.”
The celebration was filled with hugs, tears, and photos, culminating in a team trip to Disneyland the next day. The road to nationals required months of rigorous preparation, with the team practicing four to five times a week, continuously refining their routines based on judges’ feedback.
One of the biggest challenges for the team was balancing time with multi-sport athletes, ensuring that each practice remained productive. Despite these obstacles, the team’s confidence grew throughout the season, pushing them to deliver their best performance when it mattered most. “The drive and soul these athletes put into this sport and this program made this possible,” Soria said.
The national title is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication over the years. “We hope that this inspires our future teams to take cheerleading seriously,” Soria said. “We come from a high school that is always willing to put in the work.”
The team expressed gratitude to their families, friends, and the school community for their unwavering support throughout the season. Fundraising efforts will soon be underway to help the team celebrate their victory with championship rings, commemorating their achievement in cheer history.
Looking ahead, the team will now shift its focus to the STUNT season, aiming to defend their league championship title and to qualify for CIF competition for the first time.
Photos
Courtesy and permission of SVHS Cheer Team