Woodbridge High school spirit in the stands certainly sparkles, no matter what the scoreboard looks like on the friday night game. That’s because varsity
cheer captains Jordyn Estus and Tomai Gaughan have made it their mission to keep the crowd energized, no matter the outcome on the field.

A captain should know what it takes to lead a team that is constantly in the spotlight. On Friday nights, when players, parents and classmates fill the bleachers, the cheer squad is front and center. Every chant, stunt and routine has to hit with precision and energy. It is the captains’ job to make sure that happens. This responsibility falls on Estus and Gaughan this year for Woodbridge High cheer.

“I started cheer my freshman year with no experience because one of my friends who was trying out convinced me to. I wasn’t ex- pecting to like it but I ended up being pretty good at it and making lots of friends,” Estus said.

Gaughan had a different motivation to join cheer at Woodbridge High, a sport she has done for a long time.

“I started competitive cheer when I was nine and I stayed doing all star cheer until my freshman year when I decided to quit All Star cheer and join Woodbridge cheer,” Gaughan said.

For both athletes, cheer quickly became more than just a sport. It became a community, a place to grow as performers and as leaders. That leadership is tested in different ways each week.

As captains, Estus and Gaughan aren’t just responsible for calling chants, but they set the tone for the entire team.

“I wanted to be captain my senior year because I realized how important it was to have a good captain and how much it changes the team’s dynamic,” Estus said.

“I love being captain because cheer has been such a big part of my life for so long and I love being able to share my knowledge of cheer with my teammates,” Gaughan said. “Being captain really lets me be a person on the team that people can trust and look to for support.”

The Woodbridge High cheer team is known for its strength and talent, and Estus and Gaughan are determined to keep raising the bar. Both captains have specific goals for this season.

“My goals for the team this year is to be consistent and hopefully win a few competitions also to make lots of memories and build stronger friendships,” Gaughan said.

“An obvious goal for the team this season is to win nationals but like the main goal for the season is that the team always gives 110% everyday no matter what and that we fight for our stunts every time,” Estus said.

Those goals matter not only for the cheer squad itself but for the larger school community. With the football team working on the field, it’s up to the cheerleaders to keep the energy alive and the crowd engaged.

Even in the toughest games, the cheer squad’s consistency has stood out. Their sharp motions, and choreographed routines give the audience something to celebrate, regardless of the scoreboard.

For Estus and Gaughan, the heart of school spirit is showing up, giving your all and lifting others when it’s needed most.

Their leadership also extends beyond game nights. Captains are responsible for running practices, keeping morale high and helping teammates through long hours of preparation. That behind-the-scenes work, the part few outside the team get to see, is where much of their impact is made.