Bring it on: PSJA North student to join UT cheer squad

PHARR — Theresa Corona had a choice: give up her dream or go to prom.

The weekend of the dance at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North High school coincided with cheerleading tryouts at the University of Texas at Austin. And Corona, unsure of her own skills, second-guessed a decision she made in December to go out for the university's squad.

"I was always iffy about the tryouts," she said. "Mentally, you have to say, ‘I can do this.'"

She practiced two hours once a week since December tumbling, cheering and refining her skills in preparation for the big day.

A cheerleader since she was 8 years old, Corona is highly experienced. She is the outgoing squad captain at PSJA North this year.

For her, cheerleading is about the crowd's energy and, of course, the excitement of the game.

"The best part is seeing the smiles," she said.

Corona took a chance and went to Austin for tryouts.

"I just have to go in there and do what I love to do," she said.

For two days, she competed against 50 other young women. Oddly enough, she even had to trust some of her competitors to catch her when three of them tossed her into the air.

"It's actually very relaxed," said Sara Whitney, assistant program coordinator for the Longhorns' squad. "We're kind of looking for an overall look - not only must they have the skills but also have good communication."

Corona made the first cut.

Then, at the end of the second day, she was among the final eight selected to join the all-girl White Squad - there is also a co-ed Orange Squad.

Of course, she will be on the sidelines for home football games. The White Squad will also lead cheers for women's home soccer games and volleyball games and Corona's favorite sport, basketball.

This is version of the story corrects inaccurate statements about Corona's trainer, Gary Valdez, who was instrumental in helping Corona prepare for the tryouts.

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Sean Gaffney covers business, the economy and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4434.