Coach Lala: Making students strong on the mat and in the classroom
Before agreeing to compete for the “Stars Vipers: Cobras” in 2022, Laura Juarez told her team, "The only way I'm doing this is if everybody wants to win.” In her mind, everyone wanted to win.
At the age of 32, Juarez flew, based and tumbled in the same routine to win “the Summit.” It was one more title for a cheerleader who already was a world champion with multiple National Cheerleaders Association national championships as well.
Even after all her own accolades, winning is not what drives Juarez, CCS's head varsity and middle school cheer coach, known to her students as "Coach Lala."
“I love making these girls strong-minded. They come to me kind of timid and either very shy or just scared to do new things.” Lala said, “I feel like I bring out a change in them, like I spark a fire in them; they are more talkative and they are not afraid to be themselves.”
Her athletes say that her no-nonsense style improves their work ethic.
“In a way, it's sort of like a job,” 8th grade cheerleader Riley Juiel said. “I feel like it’s preparing me for real life.”
“It's teaching me responsibility and discipline,” 8th grade cheerleader Hadleigh Sirotiak added.
That same drive follows Lala from the mat into the classroom.
This year, she is taking on a new challenge as a first-year teacher at Cornerstone. She teaches both aquatic science and forensic science.
“Forensics is more about deductive reasoning and being observant,” Lala said. “Some of them (students) were completely oblivious to it, and now they are actually starting to break things down, and I’m like, ‘You’re getting it!’ ”
In Aquatics, “some were completely oblivious to how much we need water, and now it’s very interesting to them,” she said.
The people who raised her share her exact same intensity.
“My family? Yeah, we’re very close, we’re loud, very crazy. We like to have a good time; we travel, we’re outdoorsy,” Lala said. “My mom and dad, are separated, but we live on the same property, so we still all take care of one another.”
The power that guides her through all of this is her faith in Christ.
“I just feel so protected when I’m in my church, the Catholic church,” Lala said. “I feel a sense of serene and calm.” Ultimately, for Coach Lala, strength is at the center of everything.
“It’s not always about cheerleading. Yes, we like to cheer, but it’s not always about that,” Lala said. “You’ve got to build these girls up to be good human beings outside and in the world.”
Photos courtesy Ahavah Evans
About the Contributor
Savannah Juiel, Editor in-Chief
Savannah Juiel is a senior with a passion for music, movies and live theater. She frequently participates in community theater outside of school and often is a part of crew for school shows. In her free time, she loves listening to music and watching movies. She loves reviewing these movies on Letterboxd!
