06/18/2022
With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to our former Head Coach - Jose Cera. Coach Cera came on as a volunteer in Spring 2018 and took on the position of Head Coach the following Fall of the same year. During his leadership, the program was able to attend and host cheer camps for the local community, involve the program in community events or efforts such as the 4th of July Parade, attend elementary school spirit events, and collaborate with community agencies such as La Casa. With his experience and knowledge of the sport of Cheer, we saw an increase in athleticism and a decrease in injuries, elevating the program to win at the district level competition and placing higher little by little at the state level. Coach Cera stayed with us during Covid and provided support for our student-athletes as they navigated an ever-changing world in 2020-2021. He has worked with over 100 athletes and has seen 5 classes go through during his time as a coach. He always went that extra mile to help teach our students not just about cheer but about navigating college, and life skills and provided general life advice. He even became our Mascot when it was needed in community or spirit events. His famous words “Get your life together” and “perfection before progression” helped provide a strong foundation that helped increase returning athletes and attracted more and more new athletes each year. We can not thank him enough for all the time, dedication, resources, and experience he brought to the program. His final words to the program can be read in one of the pictures. We thank you for everything Coach Cera and we wish you nothing but the best! Though you didn't come from Gadsden, we know you became Panther in our hearts.
