Stepping into his new post as athletic director and vice principal at The Dalles High School in 2013, Mike Somnis had no idea what to expect. As he resigned his position in late June, after four years, he left Riverhawk Nation with lifelong friends, students who looked up to him and a community that offered the utmost respect and admiration for an administrator and parental figure who put everything he had into his career.
The Dalles senior Jessika Nañez stood shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow senior teammate Kendyl Kumm as All-American winners. While Nañez and Kumm earned recognition, Lorelay Berry (freshman), Mia Barber (freshman), Breanna Birchfield (freshman), Miguel Torres (sophomore), Emily Adams (freshman), Mackenzie Smith (junior), Sydney Fransen (sophomore), Megan Brace (freshman), Samantha Stanley (senior) and Jordyn Hattenhauer (junior) were nominated for such honors.
Last weekend, on June 23-24, The Dalles cheer team withstood 90-degree temperatures on the front lawns of The Dalles High School for its annual rummage sale and raised $2,600 over the two days.
The Dalles cheerleading program is back in action with three tryout days this week from 6-8 p.m. starting tonight and running through Thursday at The Dalles Middle School.
In the end, there were 15 cheerleaders from The Dalles High School that gave everything they had to help the program capture its 13th state title.
Although injured and unable to perform with her teammates at state this weekend in Portland, The Dalles cheer senior Lauryn Despain has chosen not to sulk about her missed opportunity. She is using this time to act as a mentor, a teacher and an inspiration to the girls she has been around since Day 1.
As one of two active seniors on The Dalles cheer team, Keagan Rice is anxiously waiting for a chance to compete for a state championship. Although still a month away from state, the Riverhawk cheerleaders get their opportunity to find their groove in a season-opening event this Saturday at David Douglas High School.
In their first competitive cheer event, Hannah Caracciolo and Samantha Stanley were beacons of light for The Dalles cheer team.
Ever since she received notice in April, The Dalles High School cheerleader Taylor Sugg has been brimming with excitement for an opportunity to represent Riverhawk Nation on a big stage. Sugg, a 2016 graduate, gets her chance to shine at 5 p.m. this Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium for the 69th annual Les Schwab Bowl for the South team.
Cheer Fundraiser Events The Dalles Cheer team is currently holding its cookie dough fundraiser. To find out about a selection and prices, reach out to one of the cheerleaders or email head coach Kelsey Sugg at kelseyesugg@live.com. ------ The cheer team is hosting a car wash from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 4 in the Urness Motors lot on W. 2nd Street across from Montira’s Thai Cuisine. ------ From 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday June 17 and Saturday June 18, the cheer team will have its yard sale on the front lawn of The Dalles High School. Coach Kelsey Sugg said the program will take any and all donations from anyone willing to bring items to sell. All donations will go toward helping the cheerleaders make it to cheer camp on July 11-14 at Oregon State University.
