Castaic High School’s cheerleading program typically has many students from each grade every year, however, during the 2025-2026 school year, there is only one senior in cheer, and her name is Emily Donaldson.

Donaldson has been doing cheerleading for about eight years, four of which were with Castaic High School.

During her sophomore year, she was one of the three junior varsity captains, improving her leadership skills day by day.

Each year that Donaldson was cheerleading, there were less and less cheerleaders in her grade level.

This year, she’s by herself, taking on the responsibility of being a Cheer Captain for her Varsity team.

“Being a cheer captain is fun, but it can be tough at times,” says Donaldson.

Managing these roles takes a lot of responsibility and can be stressful.

“I think a mix of being the only senior and a captain comes with a lot of expectations…[that] people [rely] on me [for].”

However, despite the expectations, not everything is difficult.

“My coaches make sure to highlight me and go all out for senior activities,” Donaldson mentions, “but it is weird to be the only one.”

Donaldson commends her fellow teammates’ warm and welcoming attitude, stating that “the community in cheer is one of [her] favorite parts of the team… No matter who joins and who leaves, we are… always friendly with each other and able to help each other [out].”

After working hard for all four years of high school cheer, this is sadly Donaldson’s last year cheering at Castaic High School.

“I’m a little sad to leave something that has been a constant in my life for the past four years, but I am very excited to have new experiences next year.”

We all wish Emily Donaldson the best and hope for her to achieve her future goals.

So, let’s cheer for our only senior in cheer!