Katie Gildersleeve

Pre-Covid, when students and parents still packed the stands during the 2018 fall football season, Katie Gildersleeve, a freshman at the time, soared through the air under the lights of Varsity Field during her Varsity Cheer team’s halftime performances. 

Now, two years later, Gildersleeve continues to show her commitment to the team, this year taking on the role of captain. 

“Katie is an outstanding Cheer athlete!  She not only has awesome cheer skills, but she is an amazing teammate and leader. Katie has been one of our Cheer captains both last year and this year and consistently leads the team by example. We love having Katie on the team!” Cheer coach Debbie Vargas said.

Gildersleeve battled an ankle injury that sidelined her for weeks, but her hard work and determination kept her in good spirits. 

“She is really dedicated, once she starts on something she gives 100%,” junior Jacqueline Rubin said. “We both do fall cheer together, but she goes above and beyond and is a huge advocate for the team. Even through the pandemic, she has found ways to keep the program going.”

Gildersleeve also challenges herself academically in difficult yet rewarding classes. She balances multiple AP and honors classes, along with being one of very few students in a high-level AP Computer Science course. 

“Katie has been in many of my classes throughout the years and is hardworking and dedicated to everything she does. She challenges herself but is always there to help me and other classmates when we are struggling,”said junior Mimi Gordon. “She always puts everybody before herself, and her kindness amazes me; I have never heard a bad word about anybody come out of her mouth.”