At Zuni Hills Elementary, school spirit is alive and thriving—thanks in large part to our incredible Grizzly Cheer Team, led by the passionate and inspiring Coach Taylor Short.
Now in her third year as cheer coach, Ms. Short brings years of personal cheer experience and a deep commitment to growing the whole student. “I’ve been doing cheer since I was a little girl—from the age of 8 to senior year of high school,” she shares. “The camaraderie made high school more fun and meaningful. I always wanted to improve—not just for me, but for the team.”
After becoming a teacher, Ms. Short realized how powerful encouragement could be in shaping students’ lives. That’s when the idea of starting a cheer program at Zuni Hills was born. “I wanted to encourage school spirit and invest in students beyond academics. Every day, I look forward to the time after school with the cheer squad.”
More Than Cheerleading—A Program that Builds Leaders
The Zuni Hills Cheer Program offers so much more than cheer skills. Students learn how to dance, increase their flexibility, and grow into leaders on campus. It teaches that it’s possible to be both academic and athletic—balancing success in the classroom with dedication to a team.
Through performances at school assemblies, games (both home and away), and even cheer competitions, students step out of their comfort zones, gaining confidence and presence. These experiences motivate team members to attend school regularly, stay on top of their academics, and model Grizzly behavior in and out of the classroom.
A Spirit Squad That Gives Back
The cheer team is involved in nearly every aspect of Zuni Hills spirit life—from making posters and banners for celebrations, to greeting students and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week, and energizing assemblies like PAWS and our A+ celebrations. The squad even hosts cheer clinics, allowing students of all grade and academic levels to participate and experience the joy of cheer.
Looking ahead, the cheer team is excited to extend their impact into the wider community. Planned service events include helping at St. Mary’s Food Bank, participating in “Love Our Schools Day,” and honoring heroes at the Veterans’ Day Assembly.
Supported by Community Partnerships
Ms. Short and the cheer squad are grateful for the generous support of local businesses who invest in both our students and their futures. Thanks to partners like Cinnamon Swirl, Smash Burger, Chipotle, and R & R Construction, our cheerleaders are able to attend camps, competitions, and continue spreading spirit throughout the community.
Cheer with Purpose and Pride
Being on the cheer squad at Zuni Hills is a privilege. Participation is earned through strong grades, behavior, attendance, and punctuality, with input from teachers to ensure students are ready to represent our school with pride.
Under Coach Short’s leadership, the Grizzly Cheer Team continues to grow in talent, heart, and service—cheering loud not just for our teams, but for everything Zuni Hills stands for.
Go Grizzlies!