Plant has been a consistent and successful producer of student athletes since its establishment in 1926. One sport has had high success in academics and athletics in recent years, including earning the HCPS 2021-2022 GPA Award and numerous milestone competition wins, Plant Panthers Cheer. The Plant Varsity Cheer team won their regional championship, placed third in the state, and were a national semifinalist during their season last school year. Now seniors, Emerson Hesse and Bella Guerra, have been involved in the program since their freshman years. Guerra is now a captain and is a featured back spot for the team.  

“I love Plant cheer because of the growth we have done as a team. Every single day we work to better our program and each other while also having fun doing it.”  

Senior Bella Guerra said. At the UCA camp over the summer, Guerra was awarded the “Pin it Forward” award and passed along her good spirit to the Deland Cheer Team. The friendships created by the team atmosphere is something Bella has appreciated over her 4 years with the program.  

“I am so blessed to have Plant cheer and all my best friends that cheer brought me.”  

Guerra says. Another senior, Emerson Hesse, has also been proud of the accomplishments her team has made over the past couple years, and attributes much of their success to Coach Jenise Gorman. Hesse comments,  

“I genuinely think our team has been so successful the past year because Coach Gorman has really formed such an amazing program.”  

Like many student athletes, Hesse finds a sense of community and family with her sports team at Plant. Hesse says,  

 “She has created the sense that we are more of a family, and I would consider everyone on our team a great friend which connects us and helps us do even better than the previous years and we continuously upgrade,” said Hesse. “I love Plant cheer because I feel like I can be open with anything, and everyone is so supportive. Overall, it feels like a second home.” 

Both Guerra and Hesse are excited for the future of Plant Cheer, the legacy they will leave, and are looking forward to another successful year of competition and sideline cheer. 

To learn more, follow the Plant cheer instagram!

@plantcheerleading