Evelyn Wen, a junior at San Marino High School, recently took a flying leap in her search for a new way to help out her high school.
Though she had little previous experience, Wen tried out for and made San Marino High School’s cheer squad this summer, providing her with a completely different perspective on the Titans’ football season.
Ironically, Wen was drawn to cheering at football games because of her appreciation for basketball.
“I decided to join cheer because I really enjoyed watching basketball games throughout high school,” said Wen. “It is really fun and exciting, but I’ve only ever watched from an audience/manager point of view, so I wanted a chance to experience the games differently and cheer does that. Joining cheer also helps diversify my high school experience while still involving dance, which I loved so much and was part of for freshman/sophomore year.” She goes on to say, “I’ve always wanted to be on the cheer team since middle school but I just never really attempted trying out until recently, especially with the encouragement of my friends. It actually works out that I’m on the team now and not earlier because I got to watch games from different views, which I feel is great since it’s a very different experience for everyone.”
“So far, being on the team has been super enjoyable and challenging at times, but I don’t regret it a bit,” said Wen. “Even if it has only been a few weeks of practice!”
The cheer team had three clinics that were held over the summer, where prospective team members learned cheers, jumps and a dance. The actual day of tryouts fell on the fourth day and Evelyn was fortunate to see her name on the final list.
She started dancing in beginning dance as a freshman, then moved to advanced dance during her sophomore year.
“Before high school I didn’t play any sports,” said Wen. “Then dance and now cheer!”
Evelyn has a twin at San Marino High School, named Lauren.
“We’re pretty different in terms of our personality in general despite being twins,” Evelyn said “We used to look alike when we were kids, but not anymore. At least that’s what I think, because people still get us confused for one another!”
Evelyn is also a student manager for San Marino High School’s varsity baseball team during the spring, but has taken a very quick liking to cheerleading.
“I really like being on the team and performing at assemblies because it’s similar to dance, but still different and cheering on the sidelines while watching the games and seeing the crowd,” Wen explained.
Let’s go Titans!
Kneeling row (left to right) is JV cheer: Ava Freiburg, Claire Lee, Chloe Khalilir, Azalea Avila, Isabel Li, Monica Wong, Hana Iptchilar, & Cami Penn.
