Karina V.

Hello!

I started coaching Cheerleading right out of High School to help out my former team at John A Rowland High School in Rowland Heights, CA. They needed help with dance routines, auditions, and practices; I was there to help!

I then took on a competitive Cheer coaching job with Young Champions of America for 4 years. I had an average of 5 different locations with at least 2 different teams at each location. I extremely enjoyed this! My 2nd year there, my Long Beach All Star (in terms of YCoA) team qualified for the YCoA Nationals Competition and placed 4th out of 13! I was such a proud coach. I was promoted twice with this company. I started out as a regular coach, got promoted to a field representative where I would train other coaches and take on any duties thrown at me, and lastly I was promoted to Associated Director of our Cheer and Hip Hop division.

I was also coaching competitive Hip Hop teams during my 4 years. I was let go due to a medical condition, but almost 3 years later I feel healthier than ever and am ready to help out any human with Cheerleading in their hearts. In 2014, I assisted Troy High Schools competitive JV squad in Fullerton, Ca. It was their first year competing! I enjoy teaching others the sport of Cheerleading. I have coached beginners, Intermediate students, and advanced levels. During High school I assisted my coach at his Gymnastics gym in Walnut, Ca. There, I learned basic skills for tumbling and how to assist students with backhand springs, round off backhand spring, and tucks. I've taught age groups 4 to 18.

I enjoy teaching any age and any level. You need it, I got it! If there is something I am rusty on or new at, I have the dedication, passion, and determination to learn.

I started cheerleading in Middle School at Almeria Middle school. Then, I cheered competitively at A.B. Miller High School. I moved my Sophomore year to Rowland Heights but missed cheer tryout. I was lucky enough to join the squad as the Mascot, this was an awesome and fun experience. I made it to the varsity squad the following year and convinced our team to compete. We competed through USA. The following year, I was awarded the captain position! This was my first experience in a leadership roll and I loved it! We competed through USA as well.

After graduation, I attended Riverside Community College and made the competitive squad as well! After blowing out my knee doing some awesome gymnastics I had to put cheerleading aside. Once I was healed and ready to go, I joined the Fullerton College cheerleading squad in 2009. I noticed my skill was not as great as I was before; due to my injury. I then decided to become a coach. I've received Most dedicated 2 years in a row during high school, Most spirited my Senior year, and an Awesome coach award through YCoA.

My session plans really depend on what the student needs to work on. I like to customize my classes with the individual.

I am big on flexibility, so I will make sure my students know how to properly stretch. Due to my experience I have also come to learn that strength is greatly needed in Cheerleading. I will first stretch you out properly, then work on conditioning. I love doing these two first as a warm up for what is to come. I then work on technique: making sure your motions are tight and precise, working on facials and attitude, voice strength, choreography, and lastly stunting. For stunting, If I am working with one individual, I will still be able to teach techniques to better form and ability. If I am working with a group, I will be able to show the group how stunting is properly done. I am not one to rush through technique "If you can't pass the 2nd grade, then you can't go to the 3rd grade". I am a very patient coach that will work with my students' need. I can also work on basic gymnastic skills or help an individual with the skill they need to progress on.