Male Student Makes History for Cheer Squad

By Kathya Anguiano

It had been over six years since Roosevelt had a male cheerleader when junior Robert Medina, a former John Jay student, came to make a difference here on Rough Rider campus.

Robert Medina spent his Freshman year at John Jay High School and has been at Roosevelt for two years now. Always watching cheer movies and enjoying how happy and joyful the actors looked, he was inspired to take on a roll he said his graduating sister didn’t want to take.

“I was nervous [to be the only guy cheerleader]. I thought I was going to be picked on and people weren’t going to like me, but I got more respect and everyone really likes me,” Medina said.

Medina has been enjoying his new life of fame, earning the respect of his teammates and coach already this 2012-2013 school year.

“[Robert] is amazing! He’s a very fast learner, this week he learned his tuck in a matter of 10 minutes. He has really great leadership skills and role model attributes. He is just an overall awesome cheerleader,” senior Lauren Moreno said.

Roosevelt’s new Cheerleading coach, herself a former four-year cheerleader as a Rough Rider as well as a state champion, seems to love that in her past 11 years as a coach, this is her first boy cheerleader with whom she can share her 29 years of cheering experience.

“I am definitely, without a doubt, Robert’s biggest fan! I absolutely adore him! I look forward to watching him improve his talent and grow as a cheerleader. I am honored to be his coach and I hope I can continue to be an inspiration to him in his cheerleading career,” Kortney Wallace, Cheerleading Coach, said.

Medina has learned to gain the love and attention of those around him and many other people. Few may have the courage to be a male cheerleader at a local high school and risk facing criticism and put downs.

Medina can help make a difference for many years to come.