A true cheerleader is one who inspires others to strive for greatness. Senior Isabella Figurski does exactly that. She's been told that she's a born leader, a person with an innate capacity to effectively manage and lead groups of people to achieve collective goals. The goals of the varsity cheer team this year is high, but achievable and this team's long-term vision and short-term motivation is the key.

Competitive cheerleading is a sport that combines elements of gymnastics, dance, stunting, and tumbling into a dynamic and high-energy routine. Isabella began cheering at 8 years old and has been for almost 10 years now.

Her cheer journey began with Champion Force from 2nd-6th grades. Even at a young age, she felt the pressure that, if she wasn't the best, she wasn't good enough. That negative energy was removed when she entered the competitive season of cheer in 7th grade at Kennedy Middle School. She cheered with her friends from school and that circle was encouraging. Since then she has moved up the ranks and is currently on the Lake Shore High School Varsity cheer team.

Isabella is one of seven seniors on the team this year. They have been leading their team all summer, fall, and winter to achieve things no other team has before. Their theme this year is "Endgame." Throughout their show stopping routines, they yell words that remind them just how important they are to each other, and to remind them of how far they have brought their program. There is no doubt they will leave a lasting legacy for years to come.

In fact, last season the team ranked in the top ten in Michigan all year long. And this year? They are more determined than ever before. Isabella said, "We have a team bond where everyone loves everyone equally and works hard equally." When asked why she enjoys the sport, she quickly responded, "The friendships are the best."

This self-described altruistic young lady will be pursing a career path as a prosecuting attorney at Michigan State University. Much like the theme Avengers: Endgame of her cheer season, she has her own end goal in mind.

At this past Saturday's Shorian Invitational, our Varsity team took 2nd place and our Junior Varsity finished in 3rd. At the middle school level, our Cheer Red team took 1st place and our Cheer White team earned 4th. We loved cheering for our teams and watching our Shorian families wave their Fan Faces, made by 4th graders at Monteith Elementary. Go Shorians!

Coach Taormina wrote, "56 Teams. 10 officials. 2000 spectators. 1 GRATEFUL HEART. Our Shorian Cheer Invite happens because of a ginormous number of individuals whom I am eternally thankful for. Thank you for your donations, time, hard work, dedication to this program, and for your continued support."