Sports Spotlight: Sophia Vitello & Lydia Brady | Observer Preps

Leading the way on The First Academy’s varsity cheer squad, senior captains Lydia Brady and Sophia Vitello have much in common. They both are in their second year of cheering, and there is no sport they enjoy cheering for more than football. Though the two seniors have gotten to experience numerous highlight moments, the hope is to make a few more before they graduate in the spring.

What got you into cheerleading?

Sophia: I have a big love for performing and being in front of people, so I thought it would be fun to cheer in front of people and learn dances. I thought that would be interesting to try.

Lydia: I would say what got me into cheerleading was wanting to be a part of the school and being a part of the school spirit.

What has been your favorite thing about cheering at TFA?

Sophia: Just growing with the girls. When I first came to TFA, I was really alone and didn’t have many friends, and cheer gave me a family and these girls were so receptive to anything I had to say.

Lydia: Growing together with the girls, especially as a senior to mentor them and be examples for them. 

Is there a highlight moment for you since you started cheering?

Sophia: One of the highlights — that was actually led by our coaches and Lydia (Brady) here — was when we washed (one another’s) feet. It just really brought humility to the team and gave me a different perspective on each of us. I really enjoyed that, and I feel like that was a turning point for the team and really brought us together when we really needed it.

Lydia: After we went to camp this summer — after working so hard for a few days performing and perfecting our routine — getting first place in our division. It was a big achievement.

What is the hardest thing about cheerleading?

Sophia: I had to learn to deal with a lot of different personalities. We have almost 20 girls, so you have to expect 20 different kinds of people. For me, it was understanding, “OK, when I talk to this person, I have to be more sensitive or kind.” It’s learning about each person.

Lydia: Just being able to encourage the girls and finding the balance between helping them and encouraging them, but also leading them in a good way.

Is cheering something you’d like to do at the collegiate level?

Sophia: I am considering one school that I’m looking at for cheerleading that they don’t require tumbling, because I can’t tumble. If it doesn’t require tumbling, then yes, I can cheer at that college.  

Lydia: I would say what I have been doing the last two years has made me love cheerleading and want to do it if I could at a school. I definitely want to be involved with cheerleading.