Originally born and raised in Ecuador CMHS senior Kerlly Castellano is a passionate, athletic, determined student and cheerleader who is March’s Athlete of the Month. With hopes to continue with her cheer career after high school by being part of the United Cheerleaders Association, the biggest cheer camp company in the United States. Although it was “really intimidating” Castellano is confident and moving forward working to spread her passion and skill for this athletic activity.  

Castellano has been involved with cheer since she came to CMHS in eighth grade. Her interest and excitement for cheer began with her involvement in gymnastics and dance including Jazz and Ballet since she was six years old. She decided to translate her flexibility, athleticism, and overall talent in both areas to an involvement in cheer with the encouraging word of a close friend, Caitlyn Brock who “convinced her to try out.” She has participated in St. Joseph’s ballet in Anaheim as well as cheer and tumbling classes.

Although she was greatly involved in soccer while a child in her country of origin she did not continue with this interest and familial skill due to the fact she just “couldn’t be part of any other team” then her home team.  Castellano continues to have a passion for soccer and follows in the footsteps of her fellow professional Ecuadorian soccer player father and college soccer player mother regardless. “[It is] in my blood, always really fun and I really enjoy it.”

Her goals and aspirations don’t stop with cheer however. She hopes to attend UCLA or Boston University as a pre-med student and impact another part of the world that greatly needs it. Kerlly hopes to continue to showcase her athletic talents after high school as well by becoming certified to be a Pilates teacher, which she admits is “a lot more strenuous than yoga, but in a more subtle and defined way. You definitely use your muscle more.”

Kerlly ironically does agree with the many people that critique Cheer for not really being a sport. “They are kind of right it’s not really a sport. There are no scores, not a winning aspect besides the big [and occasional] competition.” She does highlight however how extremely athletic cheer is due to the strength that must be required to lift fellow cheerleaders into the air and maintaining a tight physique with every motion. “The whole point of cheer is to always be tight. You’re muscles are always very contracted and you use all your muscles at some point.”

Cheer Captain. Yearbook Editor. Member of the past Pink Ribbon Club. Vice President of Human Resources in Virtual Enterprise. Official Athlete of the Month. Kerlly Castellano is a great all around student, athlete, and person who makes CMHS and The Equestrian proud to recognize her many accomplishments.