U.S. Grant’s Dalia Perez
U.S. Grant High School junior Dalia Perez is easy to spot on the sideline. She is the co-captain leading the Generals cheer squad with a steady voice, sharp motions and a commitment that stretches far beyond Friday nights.
Perez, an 11th grader, has embraced the responsibility that comes with wearing the co-captain title. She spends much of her time helping teammates learn new material, keeping energy high during basketball and football games, and setting the tone at competitions. What she enjoys most, she said, is the sense of community that cheer has given her.
“I enjoy getting to meet new people, creating bonds with others, going to basketball and football games, going to competitions and having team bonds,” Perez said.
That team-first mindset was shaped by role models who showed her what was possible in the sport. Perez said she draws inspiration from cheerleader Diamond Franklin, whose journey from humble beginnings to three-time national champion left a lasting impression. Franklin, now a gym owner who gives lessons to younger athletes, also completed college and found success as a collegiate cheerleader. Perez said hearing Franklin’s story pushed her to raise her own standards.
A former teammate, Mia, now a senior cheerleader at Santa Fe South High School, is another example Perez looks up to. “Throughout the years I cheered with her she was very dedicated and hardworking,” Perez said. “She puts a lot of her time into cheer, and it had paid off.”
That same dedication shows up in Perez’s routine. She spends most of her summer conditioning and working on skills, so she is ready for the next season. She said cheer has taught her discipline, teamwork and how to trust others, especially when learning and perfecting new stunts. It has also reminded her to stay committed and keep going when things get difficult.
In the classroom, Perez’s favorite subject is math, and she points to U.S. Grant freshman math teacher Mrs. Lopez as her favorite teacher. Away from school and the gym, she values quiet time with family and close friends.
Whether she is calling a cheer, spotting a stunt or encouraging a younger teammate, Perez brings the same steady focus. For U.S. Grant, her growth as a leader is already paying off — and she is still just a junior.
