Chandler High School senior Royanna Berry has carved out a leadership role on the varsity cheer squad through consistency, energy and a focus on team culture.
Berry, who will be a senior this year, said her role on the team goes beyond performance.
“I would describe my job as a leadership figure,” Berry said. “Our team doesn’t have assigned captains, instead we have seniors that do different jobs. I do a lot of the planning for our year and a lot of the sideline work.”
Her approach to leadership has been shaped by the people around her, especially her mother.
“My mom inspires me,” Berry said. “Throughout my time cheering, my mom has always been by my side, helping me however she can. She’s shown me what it’s like to be a true leader and how to inspire my teammates to be better.”
Berry also credits former teammate Emi McGuire as a key influence early in her high school career.
“The teammate who left the biggest impact on me was Emi McGuire, my freshman year captain,” Berry said. “She always made sure everyone felt included and really showed me what it meant to be a leader.”
While cheerleading often appears seasonal to outsiders, Berry emphasized the year-round commitment required.
“There’s not a set ‘off-season,’” she said. “There’s not a time during my year that I’m not working on my technique or training.”
Despite the demands, Berry said the team’s atmosphere keeps her motivated.
“I love the environment that we create with our team,” she said. “Every practice, game, or competition we have, we try to have as much fun as possible.”
Off the mat, Berry stays busy with creative outlets. She plays guitar, sings and performs in a band with friends, while also enjoying crafts like sewing and painting. In the classroom, she favors English and credits her eighth-grade teacher, Mrs. Anderson, as a lasting influence.
Berry is also active in student leadership and service, participating in student council and the National Honor Society, and helping lead fundraising efforts for Blood Cancer United.
Through it all, she said athletics has taught her lessons that extend far beyond competition.
“Athletes aren’t made when they step on the field, court or mat,” Berry said. “They’re made during the long practices and hard work behind the scenes.”
For Berry, those lessons in teamwork and preparation continue to shape both her present and her future.
