Florida School for the Deaf and Blind cheerleading team wins 3 tournaments

Renca: This year there were noticeable events related to Deaf people in sports. There’s another one to recognize, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (FSDB) cheerleading team. They won three tournaments and they were qualified to go in the state championships.

FSDB cheerleading team: We got into state! Whoo!

Renca: At the state championship, they did not make it to the top 5 spots, but it is still a big deal to be able to be qualified to get in the state championship. The 3 tournaments that they won are the following: the first one is a general tournament that they went up against other hearing cheerleading teams called Wildcats Scratch. FSDB won that one. The second one is the Cajun Classic. That tournament is similar to Clerc Classics, Great Plain Schools for the Deaf tournament, etc. This is when Deaf schools from various regions come together to compete in sports. For their region, FSDB won the championship. The third one is another general hearing tournament called Infinity Winter Classic. FSDB also won first place.

Renca: FSDB cheerleading team has 25 cheerleaders, but only 12 were involved with the various tournaments because that is the max number. The head coach of the cheerleading team is Lia Ferrante - this is her name sign. She has been a science teacher at FSDB for the last 20 years. Lia has been a cheer coach for 27 years in general but has been a coach for FSDB for 17 years. So, We reached out to the FSDB cheerleading team for an interview about their experience.

[Sponsored Video from Convo: https://www.convorelay.com/download ]

From left to right:

Kendall, junior

Coach Lia

Zaniesha, senior

Nikayla, senior

[interview video starts]

RENCA: First of all, I want to say congratulations for winning 3 cheerleading tournaments! People have noticed the FSDB cheerleading team this year! So, I want to take the opportunity to chat with you all. So, how are you feeling right now? I know you were involved with 5 tournaments and you won 3 so how each of you feel about that?

KENDALL: I feel very proud, especially after we came back from COVID, and we didn’t have a lot of experience because we were at home. When we came back we felt energized, and I was surprised this year. I’m proud of my team.

ZANIESHA: Yeah. I’m starting to cry because it’s my senior year! I’ve been cheerleading since I was little, and I’ve been traveling to many states and different places and gaining new experiences and skills. There’s so much variety there. I’m proud of that, that we all did this and made it into state. Wow! We haven’t made it in for five years, so finally! It’s amazing.

NIKAYLA: I agree with you. When we entered state, I felt like… Because of my age, I felt like I was facing so many hurdles but I didn’t give up and kept going. Finally, we got first place! That’s why.

RENCA: How did COVID impact your team? Lia, can you start with explaining how COVID impacted your team this year? I know last year was hard on many sports teams, and then last fall the Riverside football team got into state championships, and now you got into the cheerleading state championship with Florida School for the Deaf and Blind! Wow. How did COVID impact you?

Coach Lia: Two years ago, after the cheer season ended, everything immediately closed. We were all unable to participate in cheer for a year. We had exercises for them to do on their own, but we had no cheer practice for a year. So, this year, last year, all the other schools were still competing but FSDB decided not to participate. We didn't have cheer for a year, so we didn't know what to expect this year. But I’m really proud of them, they were ready to go!

KENDALL: COVID has made me appreciate cheer a lot more than I used to.

RENCA: Now for you, Lia, what’s your advice for other cheer team coaches at other Deaf schools who may be watching this?

LIA: What advice? My advice is to raise the bar. Don’t lower your expectations. Motivate yourselves. Don’t feel dejected or think you can’t or don’t have enough experience or exposure. Go for it and try! Some natural talent can happen and you can surprise yourself. I encourage anyone to raise the bar with your expectations.

RENCA: Now, for you three cheerleaders, what’s your advice for other Deaf children who might want to join the cheer team? OR what’s your advice for those who are already on the cheer team but want some inspiration? Share your advice for either of them.

KENDALL: I could say, be patient. You can’t gain expert-level experience overnight. It takes time.

ZANIESHA: Right. My advice is… The best way for you to join any cheer team - not just cheer, but any team - is to be flexible and take advantage of other sports to develop your skills.

NIKAYLA: My advice for anyone is to try. Don’t think you can’t. Try, and know that you can gain skills. And help each other, too.

ZANIESHA: Also, try to get more experience rather than not doing anything. If you don’t do anything, that means you have no chance in other sports. You can try other sports to grow and gain your skills in any sport.

KENDALL: You never know until you try.

ZANIESHA: Right.

[Interview video ends]

Renca: We also asked if the 3 cheerleaders could show us some moves.

[The clip shows some of their moves]

Renca: We want to thank the cheer team for their time. The last thing that we discussed is that we hope there can be some kind of Deaf national level cheer tournament for all Deaf schools in the USA to participate in and meet other teams across the country. Something to think about. We wish the best of luck to Lia and the future of the FSDB cheerleading team. Once again, congratulations to the FSDB Dragons!