After years of pumping up crowds and halftime performances, Linfield cheer celebrated seniors Taetum Lynn Kalani and Shaelynn Silva at halftime of Linfield’s final home football game of the year.
For Kalani, a senior journalism major and team captain, senior night isn’t just about celebrating her final home game as part of the Linfield cheer team — it’s a moment to reflect on a journey that has shaped her life.
After four years of dedication, including three as a team captain, Kalani sees her cheer experience as transformative both for herself and the program she helped lead.
“It’s really rewarding,” Kalani said. “Cheer isn’t always looked at as a sport, but for us, it means everything. To have done it for four years at the college level, and to be celebrated like this, is a big accomplishment.”
Kalani recalls joining the team as a freshman and being mentored by upperclassmen captains, a role she’s now come to embody as the team’s senior leader.
“Seeing things from different perspectives over the years — first as a new team member, then as a co-captain, and now as the oldest on the team — it’s been an incredible learning experience,” Kalani said.
Over the years, Kalani has become a well-respected leader on the team, something her co-captain, junior Miki Dunham, admires.
“Taetum taught me the importance of dedication and being there for your teammates,” Dunham said. “She’s always been a positive light, lifting everyone up with her energy and work ethic.”
Kalani’s time with the team has been marked by many memorable milestones, but one she’ll always remember is competing at the UCA College Nationals twice.
“Last year was especially fun,” Kalani said. “The team dynamic was the best it’s ever been, and we got to compete against schools from all divisions, which pushed us to a higher standard. It was challenging, but also a great opportunity to just enjoy the moment — and, of course, Disney was a nice perk.”
Kalani and the team love to compete and perform, but Kalani takes the most pride in the intangible changes in the program’s culture.
“This year, our team dynamic feels the closest it’s ever been,” Kalani said. “I’ve worked for years to build that, and now I’m finally seeing it come together. It’s like I’m leaving behind a legacy — a foundation for the future of this team.”
As she prepares for life after Linfield, Kalani carries lessons from cheer into her next chapter.
“Cheer teaches you leadership and trust. You’re literally putting your life — or someone else’s — in someone’s hands,” Kalani said “Those bonds, that ability to connect and collaborate, are skills I’ll take with me into the broadcast journalism career I’m working toward.”
When asked to sum up her experience in one phrase, Kalani doesn’t hesitate:
“The best decision I’ve ever made.”
For her, senior night is not just a celebration, but the culmination of a journey defined by growth, camaraderie and a lasting impact.
For fellow senior Shaelynn Silva, Saturday’s senior night marked the close of a two-year journey that reshaped her college experience. While her time with the Linfield cheer team was shorter than her teammates’, Silva says the connections she made and the personal growth she achieved will stay with her long after she leaves.
“It’s emotional leaving behind people I’ve made such strong connections with,” Silva said. “But it’s also exciting because we all get to see what the future holds for us.”
Silva joined the team in her junior year, uncertain about how she would measure up in a collegiate program, but quickly found her place.
“I’d never done cheer outside of high school, but I decided to give it my all and see where it took me. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Silva said.
Like Kalani, Silva highlights last year’s trip to Nationals as the pinnacle of her cheer experience.
“Nationals was definitely the highlight,” Silva said. “That’s where we got close as a team, learning to rely on each other not just as teammates, but as people. Standing backstage before the competition, emotions were high, but it was a moment of unity. We encouraged each other and left our hearts on the mat.”
Her advice to new cheerleaders speaks to her own journey of discovery and emphasizes the importance of giving everything your best shot.
“Put your whole heart into it. Even if you’re new or unsure, you never know what you’re capable of until you try,” Silva said.
Beyond the routines and competitions, Silva credits cheer with teaching her invaluable life skills that she will carry on into the rest of her life.
“Time management is huge, and working with people who think differently than you has been important. On a team, you might not always agree with everyone, but learning to come together for a shared goal builds strong teamwork,” Silva said.
What Silva will miss most, though, are the people.
“I’ve made some great connections over the past two years, and leaving them behind will be hard. But I know these are friendships I’ll carry with me beyond college,” Silva said.
For Silva, senior night wasn’t just a farewell to the team but a celebration of the courage it took to join and the confidence it gave her to move forward.
These seniors have put their heart and soul into their sport. Their dedication, resilience and camaraderie embody the spirit of Linfield, a legacy that will undoubtedly inspire future Wildcats for years to come.
