For the first time since 2012, a member of the DHS cheer team has been committed to a college acrobatics and tumbling team.

Varsity cheerleader Aryanna Dasilva had received a scholarship for acrobatics and tumbling as well as an academic scholarship at Division III Urbana University.

Dasilva was just 8 when she was exposed to the acrobatics and tumbling world. “I had saw Quinnipiac [University’s] acro and tumbling team compete against Maryland at a cheer competition and instantly fell in love with it,” Dasilva said.

Unfortunately for Dasilva there are no acrobatic and tumbling teams available for the high school level, which made her stick with competitive cheerleading. College cheerleading seemed like it was the only option for her until she met Urbana’s acro and tumbling coach Courtney Stack.

Stack was the one who sealed the deal for Dasilva. “She was part of the acro program in college as well and really sold me into following my dreams,” Dasilva said. Although Dasilva does not work with any outside coaches, she does take advantage of the time she has on the mat. Her hard work has paid off and is shown during practice as well as competitions.

“She’s such a talented athlete and always works hard. She has elite tumbling skills that a lot of girls haven’t had for their cheer career,” said Joann Tatarzycki, DHS varsity cheer coach. Dasilva has shown off phenomenal skills all throughout her high school cheerleading career. She uses her talent to help other teammates on both JV and Varsity.

Junior Camila Ochoa said, “She’s always giving me tips on how to improve and she’s just so positive and always motivates others.” Dasilva’s motivation is the reason why she has never given up. Her strong will is what pushes her to always do her best.

She has been learning new ideas and concepts for acro and tumbling to help prepare her for the fall.

“The difference in training is mainly in the areas of stunting,” Dasilva said. “Watching the NCAA finals had me realize that cheerleading is way easier because it is just the 2 minute and 20 second routine and also 6 different events with different heats.”

Dasilva has been going to the gym four times a week as well as running three times a week in preparation for the fall season. She has received support from teammates as well as her friends, but nobody shows Dasilva more support than her mother as well as coach Cara Seckinger, a DHS graduate.

“I would say that my mom is my biggest fan and she helps me make sure I stay on track and that I’m always doing everything I should be so that I can continue to follow my dreams,” Dasilva said. “She [Coach Seckinger] has done nothing but motivate me and help keep me on my toes to help guide me for what’s to come.”

The love and support from both Coach Seckinger and her mother has positively affected her performance as a whole. They’re always encouraging her to do her best and pushing her to the limit.

“I’m so proud and happy for her. She worked hard to get her tumbling passes and even though she’s been injured she pushes through it and she continues to work so hard,” Ochoa said. All the hard workouts, long practices and extra mat time have paid off for Dasilva. She is now ready to move onto the next big step for her career.

This will be Urbana’s first year with an acrobatics and tumbling team.

“It’s fantastic that she got into it,” Tatarzycki said. “Either one would have been great as tumbling and acrobatics as a sport is growing. There are no cheer scholarships because it is not considered a sport. There are more acro and tumbling teams being added across the country.”

Dasilva is excited for the coming season. “I’m looking forward to making history this inaugural season for the acrobatics and tumbling team at Urbana University. Go Blue Knights!”