Sports

SBHS Cheer Caps Off Memorable Year with New Stunt Team

Lily Schumacher, Staff Writer

June 5, 2026

This year was an exciting one for the cheer program, especially with the addition of stunt for the first time. Throughout the year, the team created many memories by supporting one another, cheering at games, and building strong friendships. Freshman Gisselle Almanza shared that one of the most fun parts of the year was “everybody getting along and all having fun with each other.”

The introduction of stunt brought a new opportunity for athletes to compete while still participating in cheer. Stunt team was added because many cheerleaders expressed the desire for a more competitive experience instead of only cheering for school sports teams. The team competed during the spring in Thousand Oaks and received a lot of support and interest from students.

Coaches hope to continue the program next year and are optimistic that nearby schools will add stunt teams as well, making travel easier and helping the sport to continue growing locally.

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About the Contributors

Lily Schumacher, Staff Writer

Lily Schumacher is a senior at Santa Barbara High School. This is her first year on The Forge, but she has been a Forge lover since freshman year. Outside of The Forge, she likes hanging out with friends and sightseeing around Santa Barbara. Her goal for this year is to help with ideas and more writing!

Ethan Maday, Website Editor

Ethan Maday is a 10th-grade student at Santa Barbara High School (Class of 2028) in Santa Barbara, California, and is passionate about climate policy, politics, and the outdoors. He currently serves as President of the SBHS Environmental Advocacy Club, where he organizes youth-led events, campaigns, and advocacy efforts, including a recent walkout demanding climate accountability. His goal this year is to help students better understand local environmental and political actions and news. Ethan received the Next-Gen Environmental Hero Award from a local environmental law nonprofit, presented by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in recognition of his leadership opposing the restart of a local offshore drilling operation. He has also delivered a keynote speech at a nonprofit gala, sharing his vision for a more sustainable future. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, camping, surfing, video work, and mountain biking. Ethan writes news and environmental stories for The Forge and also contributes to Bluedot Living, focusing on policy, local action, and helping young people understand politics. Additionally, he manages the website, edits most YouTube videos, and contributes to Forge Tech.