Portage High School senior Alexis Pena is more than an ordinary student, as cheer captain at PHS she dedicates her time to Captains Council, assisting Pop Warner teams, and cheerleading.
Through Captains Council she does volunteer work such as collecting canned goods and bell ringing for the Salvation Army. With the busy schedule of cheer and volunteering she manages to find time to help other Portage Pop Warner cheerleading teams.
Pena's cheer career began at the young age of five and continued all the way up to her senior year.
"I was nominated for All-American Cheerleader by the NCA (National Cheerleaders Association) staff members. Junior and senior year I won All-American which led me to have the opportunity to be in the Disney Christmas Parade in Orlando, Florida," Pena said.
On December 6, 2014 Pena cheered in the Walt Disney Christmas Parade with 836 other cheerleaders and dancers from all over the country.
"I was extremely excited (to participate in the parade), in Disney World they always say have a magical day and honestly that was such a magical experience," Pena said.
At one point in Pena's life she cheered for three teams including PHS's cheer team, pop warner, and at all-star Angels.
Along with being a two time All-American Cheerleader and Captain of the cheer team at PHS, Pena was also second runner up for Portage's DYW (Distinguished Young Woman) scholarship program.
"My mom and sister are my biggest supporters and then of course my dad and brothers," Pena said. "I'd have to say my two pop warner coaches (Kelly Bowman and Brittney Karakozis) and my current assistant coach (Jennifer Willis) have kept me focused on my goals and efforts."
Pena hopes to cheer in college where she will pursue a career as a dental hygienist.