For Catoosa High School senior Tacori Pitre, cheerleading is more than a performance on the sidelines. It is an opportunity to build confidence, push personal limits, and bring energy to her school community.

Pitre, a 12th grader, has embraced the year-round demands of cheer while remaining active in National Honor Society and Student Council. She said the work required to improve has taught her the value of dedication, time management, and determination.

“What motivates me is hitting new stunts. It reminds me that I can always become better!” Pitre said.

That mindset has helped Pitre continue developing as a cheerleader. Stunting requires trust, precision, and consistent repetition, and Pitre understands that progress does not come without commitment.

“To be successful in cheer has taken a lot of dedication. You have to be willing to put in the work and time to succeed!” she said.

One of the biggest challenges for Pitre is balancing her academic responsibilities with the demands of an all-season sport. Between regular practices, learning new skills, and schoolwork, she has learned to prioritize the most important tasks each day.

“It takes a lot of prioritizing to balance your schoolwork and cheer. Cheer is an all-season activity, so we’re constantly practicing and learning new skills to become better. There’s a lot of times when I have tons of work on top of things for cheer, so it takes time and determination to get everything done!” Pitre said.

While competition and growth are important, Pitre said her favorite moments come when she can help build school spirit. Pep rallies have become a highlight of her cheer career because they allow her to connect directly with students and create excitement around Catoosa athletics and activities.

“The highlight moment of cheer for me has definitely been the Pep Rallies. As a cheerleader, it’s my job to get people hyped up and excited. And I find that to be so much fun!” Pitre said.

Pitre also enjoys the friendly challenge of competing with teammates during stunt work. She said a particular stunt group consistently brings out the best in her own group.

“I love to compete with other stunt groups! My favorite stunt group to compete with is Madison, Brooklynn, Laycee, and Belle’s Group! Both of our stunt groups perform very well, so we love to put each other to the test within stunts!” Pitre said.

Off the mat, Pitre credits her mother as her greatest influence and her Spanish teacher, Mr. Nichols, as an important positive presence at school. She also believes freshmen deserve recognition for the effort they bring to the program.

As a senior, Pitre takes pride in representing Catoosa with enthusiasm and appreciation.

“To represent my school and community when I cheer means to me always being grateful that I’m able to be a part of the community! Every day I’m reminded that my job is to make others smile, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything; I absolutely love it!” Pitre said.