VCPW Cheer Head Coaches 2024

Get to know your VCPW Head Coaches

MELISSA APRIL
2024 Jr. Varsity Cheer Head Coach

If you had a superpower would it be invisibility or flying?
Can I teleport? 

What’s your favorite cheerleading memory?
Standing in the crowd at Jamz in Las Vegas to find out our team won Nationals. I was consumed with joy for our girls knowing how hard they worked. 

Would you rather sing or dance, and are you a Swiftie?
Definitely not a swiftie! I’m a dancer. I have been dancing ballet, tap and jazz since I was a little girl.

Were you a cheerleader in school? If so, what position?
Sure wasn’t. I was in the dance team in high school.

What is your favorite cheer skill?
Stunting. Each one of our girls continues to impress me with their strength and determination. 

Would you rather have bows or poms?
Hmmm bows. It completes the look.

Ice cream or popsicle? 
Ice cream. Mint chocolate chip to be exact. 

CHRISTINA GULLEY
2024 Mitey Mite Cheer Head Coach

Introduction
I’m Coach Christina.  Generally, a spirited smile exudes from me!  This is my 2nd year as head coach, 3rd coaching with VCPW.  I have over a decade of cheerleading experience from my own Pop Warner days through high school (more than a few years ago).  I love this sport and I get such fulfillment making relationships and coaching our youth to have fun, grow in skill, and gain confidence.  I'm also happy to be on the VCPW Board this year, helping with IT & social media.  

If you had a superpower would it be invisibility or flying? 
Flying. I’d love to soar and see the land from above.

What’s your favorite cheerleading memory?  
In high school, our football team went to & won the CIF championship.  For the game, my squad cheered down on the field of Qualcomm stadium.  That was such an amazing experience!

Would you rather sing or dance, and are you a Swiftie?  
Dance! And yes, I’m a Swiftie!

Were you a cheerleader in school? If so, what position?  
Yes, I cheered all 4 years.  I was always the tallest girl on my squad, so I was backspot.  My favorite was cheering for football games. There was such a buzz of excitement cheering under stadium lights, dancing along with the band, and doing fun stunts.  Our football team was really good, so our crowd loved to get loud!

What is your favorite cheer skill?  
Hard to pick just one, since I love all aspects of cheer.  Leading spirited chants & cheers that get the crowd involved & pumped up. 

Would you rather have bows or poms? 
Poms

Ice cream or popsicle? 
Ice cream…. Mmmmm

Favorite coaching philosophy, quote or message?  
We are a team, so we celebrate together, we encourage & lift up one another, and we have fun learning together.  We do our best with & for each other.  

HEATHER BURKE
2024 Flag Cheer Head Coach

If you had a superpower would it be invisibility or flying? 
Flying, so I can go on more vacations with my family and skip out on the California traffic when I can.

What’s your favorite cheerleading memory?
Summer Stunting Camp, it was only for 2 days but had so much fun with all my friends learning exciting new stunts.

Would you rather sing or dance, and are you a Swiftie?
Dance. Definitely a Swifitie.

Were you a cheerleader in school? If so, what position?
Yes, I was a base.

What is your favorite cheer skill?
A cradle while doing stunts. It requires teamwork, cordination and trust from each girl to execute smoothly.

Would you rather have bows or poms?
Bows

Ice cream or popsicle?
Ice Cream 

Favorite coaching philosophy, quote or message?
Success is not about winning, its about overcoming challenges, growing as a team and being the best cheerleaders for each other every step of the way.