Published December 10, 2025
BY CLAIRE DEIPARINE
Although competitive cheer has long struggled for traction on the Monterey Peninsula, the Carmel High School cheerleading team enters their winter season with a stronger foundation and more competitive opportunities than in previous years, transforming the program which once had limited access to events into one preparing for multiple Central Coast Section-sanctioned competitions across the region.
Members of the CHS cheer team perform a stunt during their routine at Monte VIsta Christian School. Photo by SHERYL BJORN
Much of this momentum began over the summer when the team attended a three-day Universal Cheerleaders Association camp hosted by Monte Vista Christian High School. Long hours of stunting, dancing and practicing routines pushed the squad physically and mentally, something senior cheerleader Ava Cassady says helped establish the tone for the upcoming year.
“It was stressful and very tiring,” Cassady explains, “but learning how people react in those situations allowed all of us to grow as people and as cheerleaders.”
That sense of trust has become a central factor to the team’s approach heading into competition season. Senior cheerleader Hayden Merriam highlights that the connection built through cheerleading differs from typical friendships.
“The bond of being on a team is a lot different than the bond of friendship,” Merriam notes. “There’s a lot more trust within a team because we really do rely on each other and have to put our full trust in each other to look a certain way for competition.”
This winter marks a turning point in what competition looks like for the team. Previously, events were limited, expensive and often far from the peninsula, making consistent participation difficult. Since CCS officially recognized cheer as a sport in October 2018, more schools across the Bay Area and Central Coast have begun hosting sanctioned events.
The Carmel cheer team bonds and builds foundational stunting and routine skills at a Universal Cheerleaders Association camp in July. Photo by LEIGH CAMBRA
The program’s recent progress is supported by head coach Leigh Cambra who has guided the team through this period of growth and adjustment. Cambra explains that since the sport gained CCS recognition, more local schools have established cheer programs, making competitions easier to access and reducing travel-related costs.
“More schools are getting approval from CCS to host, and that makes it a lot more affordable, which means we get to compete more,” Cambra says.
The team attended a CCS showcase at Mountain View High School on Nov. 1, which offered an early chance to perform in front of judges and display the skills they learned from camp.
With only 12 members, every cheerleader plays a crucial role in routines and stunts. Senior cheerleader Drew Galy adds that the small roster also strengthens their dynamic as a team.
“The team is much closer and tighter than the sideline cheer team since we only have around 12 members on the team,” Galy notes.
Despite the sport’s rapid expansion, Cambra explains that the program itself is still developing as more schools get involved.
“Carmel cheer is a growing program, and even the middle school started a team and they’re competing this year,” she adds. “I expect a lot of freshmen next year to show up with even more experience than we’ve ever had.”
With growing regional support, strengthened team chemistry and a lineup of competitions ahead, the CHS cheer team enters the winter season with confidence. As competitive cheer continues to expand across the Monterey Peninsula, the team hopes to establish itself as a rising presence in the sport.
The team will compete next at Monte Vista Christian High School on Dec. 20 and Palo Alto High School on Jan. 31.
