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EPISD Student Spotlight: Sean de la Luz, Jefferson High
(JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL Jan. 25, 2021) — Sean De La Luz keeps the Jefferson/Silva Silver Fox spirit going during the pandemic – sharpening his cheer skills while also preparing for cheerleading in college. The Jefferson senior will be flying to Missouri Baptist University this month to try out for their collegiate co-ed cheer team. Community Engagement sat down virtually with Sean to speak about life during the pandemic and his passion for cheerleading in this edition of the EPISD Student Spotlight.
EPISD: Tell us about your goal of getting a cheer scholarship and what you are doing to reach this goal?
SEAN DE LA LUZ: My goal of getting a cheer scholarship was to be one of El Paso’s very few male cheerleaders to be recognized as a student athlete in this field so I could attend an out-of-state-college. To do that, I worked hard, dedicated myself to the sport and –most importantly – sharpened my skills.
EPISD: Why are you passionate about cheer, when did you start cheering?
SDLL: I’m so passionate about cheer because I truly love how I am always being challenged whether it’s learning a new cheer or new stunt. I’ll always be bettering myself and that’s why I love it. I started cheering in my junior year when track season had just ended.
EPISD: How are you staying motivated and involved in school during the pandemic?
SDLL: Through this pandemic I’ve found that practice keeps me motivated and involved in school. I need to pass to cheer, without cheer I think I would have a lower GPA.
EPISD: What are you doing to make the most of your senior year despite the pandemic?
SDLL: Just have fun with or whatever I have in the time being. This is not the year any of us wanted, but it’s the year we have. We still have college and I have that ahead of me. That’ll be a bigger journey.
EPISD: What other activities are you involved in?
SDLL: Since I am in cheer at Jefferson, I found out I needed to sharpen my skills so I decide to join an All-Star Cheer team called Texas Bandits. The Texas Bandits have taught me so many skills that I carry on in high school cheer.
EPISD: Where do you hope to go to college and what do you plan to study?
SDLL: I am in between two top choices at the moment; the schools are Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis and Dickinson State University in South Dakota. I plan to study kinesiology or sports therapy.
EPISD: How do you balance school and extracurricular successfully – especially during the pandemic?
SDLL: Having only five classes this year, I find it easier to balance school and sports. I can say I don’t stress about balancing those two very important things in my life.
EPISD: What advice would you give incoming freshman?
SDLL: Do not be afraid of trying something new, the worst that can happen is being rejected.
If you try out for any team and wasn’t able to join than use that as motivation to work even harder and come to the team giving everything you got to give.
EPISD: What is the first thing you plan to do when the pandemic is over?
SDLL: The first thing I want to do is go see all of my friends I haven’t been able to be around for basically a whole year.
EPISD: Anything you’d like to add?
SDLL: Be true to yourself, don’t let anyone bring you down. I know I didn’t let anyone bring me down and look at me. I am doing amazing.