After a year and a half of service at CHS, varsity cheerleading coach Heather Holland resigned from her position. On Oct. 4, her varsity replacement was announced as Cesar Govea, and the new junior varsity coach as Katrina Clemente. The future cheer adviser is to be announced in November.

The varsity coach, Govea, comes to CHS extremely qualified. He has a history of coaching experience, and was previously an adviser for the CHS varsity cheer team. Govea will be the fourth coach Claremont’s varsity cheer team has seen in the last four years; Holland’s predecessor, Jennifer Campbell, had also resigned midseason after only a year of service.

“We want the person to know cheer and be up-to-date on that, so that normally means they’re on the younger end. And at the same time we want them to have the skills of a teacher, to be able to manage and discipline and communicate well with parents. It’s a very hard job to fill,” Dr. Brett O’Connor said.

O’Connor described the job of a Claremont varsity cheer coach as a “revolving door,” referencing the difficulty of finding a coach who can be a juxtaposition of the two qualities. Govea underwent interviews with Assistant Principal Anita Arora, O’Connor, and two varsity cheer captains to ensure he was right for the job. Between searching for a different coach, O’Connor, Arora, and a varsity cheer member’s mother, Kim Gomez, who is also a CUSD employee, played a large role in supporting the varsity girls. The three CUSD employees devoted their time after school to monitoring routines and practices as well as accompanying the cheerleaders on away football games. Govea also willingly returned during the time between coaches to assist the girls before landing the permanent position.

Holland’s resignation came as a shock to some members of the varsity cheer team, though O’Connor declined to elaborate on Holland’s reasons for departing.

“Due to confidentiality laws, no CUSD district employee would be able to comment on that,” O’Connor said.

Regardless of Holland’s resignation, the girls are currently doing well in their performances. Their morale is high despite the rotation of coaches they have experienced and they hope to continue their year as normal. Govea’s return to CHS is greatly appreciated, and CHS anticipates a successful year for cheerleading.