By Sofia Puga

Arizona Western College cheerleader Katrina Holguin is not only a team member, she also teaches the sport. Holguin is a coach for the cheer team at Crane Middle School. Formerly a psychology major, she hopes to one day have an impact on children's lives by becoming a second-grade teacher. 

"When I was pursuing psychology, I did want to work with children anyways," Katrina Holguin said. "I feel like education just gravitated more towards my personality."

Born in New Mexico, Holguin now calls Yuma home Yuma and has for the majority of her life. As a child, she developed a liking for gymnastics and started cheering in middle school. 

"I was really into gymnastics when I was younger," Holguin said. "So, I would just teach myself how to do a bunch of things."

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Holguin was unable to cheer to begin high school. Once restrictions were lifted, she started cheerleading again and hasn't looked back.

"In high school, I didn't cheer my freshman or sophomore year," Holguin said. "I started cheering again my junior year, continued my senior year, and now here for two years."

Holguin feels that leadership comes naturally for her, noting that she likes to check on her teammates to see how they are doing. 

"It's really easy to make sure that everybody is doing their own thing," Holguin said.

When it comes to performing, Holguin says it is vital that everybody is in sync. Teamwork is a trait that Holguin emphasized having, along with having an open mind. 

"It helps being on a team because you all have to work together or else it's all going to come crashing down," Katrina said. "But if you are very optimistic, then this could be a very fun experience for you."

Katrina considers cheerleading an integral part of her life, but she also enjoys arts and crafts and doing her own nails. 

Katrina's favorite food is a buffalo chicken sandwich, specifically one from a local restaurant in Yuma. 

"I love a good buffalo chicken sandwich, the one at Burgers and Beer, highly recommend," Holguin said. "It's amazing, it's delicious."

She is also a keen Phoebe Bridgers and Mac Miller listener; however, there is one band that has been a staple of hers for a long time.

"One Direction will always have a place in my heart," Holguin joked. "Since 2010 when I was five years old."