Holyoke Middle School’s cheer team performed two routines for members of the HPS School Committee on Monday, April 24, as part of this month’s student showcase.
HMS Principal Rue Ratray introduced their performance, acknowledging HMS Cheer Coach Yashica Gerena for launching the team this year and for supporting participating students who have consistently maintained high academic standards since the team launched in October. He also acknowledged the school’s and the team’s profound loss following the March 25 death of classmate and team cheerleader Da’Vant Byrd. The cheer team has “shown tremendous amounts of grace, strength, and leadership for other students and family members,” Principal Ratray said.
The cheer team will continue to develop and grow next school year, Coach Gerena said, when the team will be based at Sullivan School with the closing of Holyoke Middle School.