JDHS Cheer team showcasing spirit in California

Klas Stolpe
Feb 20
3 min read

Crimson Bears competing among nations best at USA Nationals

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Cheer team pose with their wins from the USA SPIRIT Nationals on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2026. The team competes through Saturday. The JDHS girls basketball team hosts the Ketchikan Lady Kings at 5:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday, and the boys follow against the Kayhi Kings at 7 p.m. (Photo courtesy Carlene Nore)

By Klas Stolpe

Juneau Independent

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Cheer team will be absent from this weekend’s home basketball games against the visiting Ketchikan Kings and Lady Kings, but their "SPIRIT" has been making a mark down south.

The JDHS Nationals portion of the basketball cheer team is competing at the 2026 USA SPIRIT Nationals in Anaheim, California through Saturday.

“These kids worked hard,” JDHS coach Carlene Nore said. “A long travel day and then 15 hours at a competition to place in all their events. Truly an amazing group of athletes.”

They are not just placing, they are winning big early. Among the 500 teams competing JDHS has taking first place in Game Day Band Chant among 22 small division teams, took first place in Game Day Fight Song among 20 small teams, took first place in HS Advanced Stunt Group among 26 teams in the advanced division and took third place in the Game Day Situational Sideline Cheer among 19 small teams.

“It is truly an unforgettable experience,” JDHS senior Simon Iputi said. “And I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to perform with such a talented and amazing group of people.”

On Friday the team will compete in the Co-Ed Advance (Non-Tumble) among nine teams at 8:20 p.m. and in the Co-Ed Crowdleader (All divisions) among eight teams at 9:17 p.m.

“It is truly an honor to represent Alaska in the way our team represents,” JDHS junior Aidan Lazo-Chappell said. “I am eternally grateful and blessed for my team and I having an opportunity to be putting the JDHS CHEER program on the map!”

The competitions and schedule can be viewed online at https://tv.varsity.com/live

Winners are showcased in Saturday finals. Not all the basketball cheer team is attending.

"Yesterday was an incredible experience," JDHS senior Karina San Miguel said. "I feel like it reflects all of the hard work that the team has put in to get where we are today and I am so proud of everyone."

The JDHS cheer team includes seniors Hadley Bex, Marlee Gines, Renz Hill, Mati Iona, Simon Iputi, Jonah Mahle, Shaelyn Martinez, Megan Pierce, Karina San Miguel, Kira Tupou, Arely Vera Garcia, Audrey Yu, Richard Tupou and Claire Babcock. Martinez is manager and Babcock is mascot "Mac" the bear.

Junior class cheer team members are Lumi Fermin, Aidan Lazo-Chappell, Rylie Mulkey, Alexa Scarano, Krew Ridle and Camden Messmer; sophomores are Viviana Flores and Laura Parker; and freshmen are Adriana Blanton, Mae Butler, Azriel Cristobal, Josselyn Davis, Hope Scharen and Roxanna Vetrano,

JDHS cheer coaches are Carlene Nore, Colby Sanders, Reuben Grimes and Chelsea Kilgore.

The JDHS girls basketball team hosts the Ketchikan Lady Kings at 5:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday, and the boys follow against the Kayhi Kings at 7 p.m.