Coupeville Sports

Amanda Foley in Australia

Do not attempt to tell Amanda Foley that cheer is not a sport.

The Coupeville High School junior has done it all — jazz band, drama, National Honor Society, hardcore video game player — and now that she has returned to the cheer squad after taking several years off after elementary school, she knows of what she speaks.

“In sports you go to practices, you learn different techniques, and you have to be strong at what you do,” Foley said. “Cheerleaders do all of that.

“We go to practices and have learned over thirty cheers, several dance routines, and we throw girls up in the air!,” she added. “Cheerleading isn’t just short skirts and big smiles; it’s hard work, and we deserve the right to be considered a sport too.

Foley, who also plans to turn out for tennis in the spring, has been so busy during her first two years at CHS she didn’t have time for cheer. But now, a promise she made with one of her close friends is paying off.

“During sophomore year my friend, Bella Cedillo, and I decided together that we were going to do cheer during our last two years of high school, and so far we love it!,” Foley said. “I enjoy being able to learn new routines and have fun with all of my cheer sisters.

“A couple things I like about our coaches, is how they are accepting of everyone and they are supportive of other sports and activities we do,” she added.

Foley has proven adept at juggling many interests at once. She has been actively involved in drama since the fifth grade, did four years of band and is on the ASB board for her class.

Toss in high-level classes (“I’m going to be in AP calculus and chemistry this year, so I’m looking forward to that”) and she’s a busy young woman.

In her free time, the self-proclaimed “nerd” enjoys playing Skyrim (“I have to say, I love my video games”), spending times with friends like Cedillo, Ciera St Onge and Marisa Etzell and being a devoted big sister to younger sibling Melanie.

She also enjoys the timeless movies of her childhood.

“A couple of my favorite movies are “Finding Nemo” and “The Lion King”,” Foley said. “I like others too, but the kid movies always seem to be the best.”

No matter where she goes and what she does, Foley will always have her family to rely on, and they have been instrumental in helping her grow.

“My family is probably my biggest support system,” Foley said. “Everyone encourages me to do what I want, and be good at it.

“The one who made the biggest impact on me, though, was my grandma,” she added. “She practically raised me for the first few years of my life and she taught me a good majority of my values.”