Sophomore cheerleader Cassie Fava started cheerleading during her freshman year at LHS thanks to a strong influence from her older twin sisters, Katie and Ellie.
“I was a gymnast, so I always kind of knew about cheer and honestly it always looked fun to me, but when my sisters decided to do it their freshman year, I knew I wanted to definitely do it too.”
Katie and Ellie also both did gymnastics growing up, setting the stage for their transition to cheer once they arrived at LHS.
“Growing up, I did gymnastics and going into high school cheer was the most like it,” Ellie said.
“I did gymnastics my whole life and thought it would be the easiest sport to transition into,” Katie added.
LHS cheer coach Tracey Hartman said that the gymnastics background for all three sisters was the key to the successful transition into cheer.
“Their physical strength and body awareness all come from their gymnastic background,” Hartman said. “This, combined with their height, really helps in the stunting department.”
Hartman also said she also notices another motivator between all three sisters.
“A touch of sibling rivalry helps motivate them when it comes to tumbling skills,” Hartman said. “While they may joke and tease each other as sisters do, when they need a word of encouragement, the beauty of sisterhood becomes apparent. Obviously the Fava’s are family, making our cheer team a pretty awesome second family.”
Katie said being a part of the team is a positive experience for her because of the excitement and enthusiasm shared with the coaches teammates.
“It was really uplifting especially when someone was struggling either in the sport or out of it,” Katie said.
“The friendships I made and the memories I have from being on a team since freshman year,” are Ellie’s top reasons why she has enjoyed being a part of the team so much.
Cassie’s experience with the team has been shorter, but similar.
“I love the environment, and the girls,” Cassie said. “They’re some of the most supportive, kind people I've ever met and I’ve had some great friendships come out of cheer.”
Katie and Ellie are the captains for coach Hartman’s team as well.
“Katie and Ellie are captains of our winter cheer team and have been such a consistent presence through the revolving Covid door,” Hartman said. “They are quite literally the glue that holds us together.”
Hartman also said it was pretty special to have three sisters on the team at the same time.
“I think it is so cool that all three are varsity cheerleaders and there is a unique dynamic it brings to our team,” Hartman said. “The trio are just what any coach is looking for. They are excellent students and positive role models.”
Hartman also indicated that all three sisters are leaders in their own way.
“Their leadership style is subtle, but so appreciated by our coaching staff,” Hartman said. “Just by doing the right thing, supporting the needs of their teammates, modeling effective communication and truly being coachable Katie and Ellie really are part of the foundation of our team. It is no surprise that Cass follows in their footsteps.”
After graduation, Katie plans on going to college and studying education with an aim at being an English teacher someday at a high school or college. Ellie is considering going to college and studying culinary arts.
Katie said her favorite classes in high school have been her Health Occupations classes.
“Even though I'm no longer interested in the health field, it's still a very comfortable class to be in,” Katie said. “The teachers from that class are among my favorites. Mrs. Phelps, who retired last year and Mrs. Ordway, having four years to learn with them really allowed us to get to know them and learn a lot from them as teachers.”
Ellie said she has enjoyed her culinary classes in CTEi and her favorite teacher, Chef McLaughlin.
For Cassie, she said her favorite class so far has been Health Assisting.
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