By Gabriella Coffin – Staff Reporter 

During the Thanksgiving Day Game on November 23, senior Jonathan Law cheer captain Mikayla Capobianco won the 2023 Sportsmanship Award. Capobianco works hard as a captain for the cheer team and many coaches and teammates are incredibly proud of her for this achievement. Advocate Staff Reporter Gabriella Coffin interviewed Capobianco about this honor. 

Gabriella Coffin: How does it feel to accomplish something so great, like an award, as a senior?

Mikayla Capobianco: Achieving a reward as a senior feels amazing. It shows how hard I have worked this season and makes me feel like I have proven that to my team. Getting recognized in my senior year makes it extra special, marking the end of my time in sports at school.

GC: How often do you practice or work on cheerleading? 

MC: We practice three days a week, plus we have captains’ practice. Outside of cheer, I spend at least an hour a day learning new cheers. Currently, we are in the process of learning our new routine for basketball, and there is an expectation for us to grasp all the cheers and the new routine as soon as possible

GC: How did the football cheerleading season go?

MC: I feel positive about the football cheerleading season—we had a great run, and the football team worked incredibly hard despite challenges. Looking ahead, my goal is to enhance communication between the football and cheerleading teams. I’ve noticed a confidence issue among some teammates, and I aim to boost everyone’s self-assurance. All the girls on the team are fantastic, so I want to work on improving their confidence both on and off the mat.

GC: Are you going to stick with cheerleading in the future, what motivates you?

MC: I plan to stick with cheerleading in the future. I’ve been cheering since 8th grade and fell in love with it. What motivates me is the support from my teammates, my coaches Morgan and Erica, and the reaction from my peers when they see our routine. When we step out onto the field, perform our routine, and it hits, all the hard work and dedication pays off. That’s what makes all the time spent working hard worth it

GC: What are your goals going forward after accomplishing this award? 

MC: After receiving this award, my goal is to keep pushing myself. I want to continue being my best and show my team that I can go above and beyond. My aim is to push myself because I believe that there is always room for improvement. Receiving this award is an honor and a stepping stone toward greater achievements in the future.