By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

When the Lake Region cheering squad needs someone to fill a role, Mikayla Fortin is willing to take on that task.

A newcomer to the cheering program, Mikayla has “come so far from where she started,” LR Coaches Ashleigh London and Kelly Tibbetts said.

“At the start of the season, Mikayla had to back out from being included in the competition routine due to scheduling conflicts. A few weeks later, we lost one of our team members, who was a strong asset to the routine. Mikayla approached us and said she was ready to step in for her team and fill in where it was needed, so no changes had to be made,” the coaches said. “She learned to do her forward roll; she stepped in as a base for several stunts; she picked up all the choreography; and she did so in a very short amount of time.”

The coaches added, “Mikayla gives 100% every practice, gets along with everybody, asks the right questions so she can always be improving herself, and has shown her team and her coaches just how dedicated she is by stepping up when we needed her most.”

In recognition of her strong work ethic, determination, commitment and good sportsmanship, Mikayla is this week’s Boosters and Hancock Lumber “Player of the Week.” Each week, a Lake Region athlete is recognized for his/her dedication (does more than what is asked), work ethic, coachability and academic good standing. Recipients receive a specially-designed t-shirt, sponsored by Hancock Lumber.

The Fortin File

Name: Mikayla Fortin

Year in School: Sophomore

Town: Naples

Parents: Denise and Eric Theriault

School Activities/Sports: Cheering and softball.

Q. Why did you choose cheering? MF. I chose cheering because it was something new. My mom did it in high school, so I thought I’d try it out.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish this season? MF. I hope to accomplish all the goals my team and I had gathered in the beginning of the season.

Q. What do you enjoy the most? MF. Being with all my friends and having fun.

Q. What do you like the least? MF. There isn’t really anything I like the least.

Q. What makes you successful? MF. I try hard and do my best. I am willing to learn new things and try hard to accomplish them.

Q. What would your dream moment be? MF. I honestly don’t know what my dream moment would be other than to be successful beyond school.

Q. What has cheering taught you? MF. This sport has taught me just like any other team sport teaches you — there is no “I” in team.

Q. Who has inspired you? MF. I am inspired by my mom, being supportive and encouraging. Also, my coaches inspire me. All three of them push me and the team to accomplish our goals.