Foothill High Cheerleader Finds Strength and Purpose After Loss of Both Parents
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Under the Friday night lights, as the crowd roars and the game clock ticks down, cheerleaders lead chants and energize the stadium. Among them is Foothill High School senior Lola Kloberdanz — a spirited presence on the sideline with a quiet resilience rooted in unimaginable loss.
Cheerleading is more than a sport for Kloberdanz. It’s a way to create lasting memories with friends, a passion she hopes to continue in college — and, perhaps most profoundly, a way to remain connected to her late mother.
“When I lost my mom, I felt like the world stopped,” Kloberdanz said. “Cheer gave me something to hold onto. It reminded me of the things she loved and supported me in.”
Lola and her younger brother, Zack, leaned on each other after their mother’s passing. But heartbreak struck again when they also lost their father. Both parents had long battled underlying health issues.
“It was hard to process losing one parent, let alone both,” Kloberdanz said. “But I kept coming to practice, kept cheering. It helped me stay focused on something positive.”
Despite the tragedy, Kloberdanz has found strength in the sport and the people around her. Her coach, Sabrina Cadwallader, says Lola’s courage has deeply impacted the entire program.
“Lola is the kind of person who inspires everyone around her,” Cadwallader said. “She leads with empathy, with maturity, and she never lets her circumstances define her.”
Teammate Ava Martinez agrees.
“Lola has been through more than anyone should have to go through,” Martinez said. “But she still shows up for everyone. She listens, supports us, and leads with her heart.”
Kloberdanz was recently voted team captain by her peers — an honor that reflects not just her performance on the field, but her character off of it.
“Being captain means a lot to me,” Kloberdanz said. “It’s not just about calling cheers — it’s about being there for each other. That’s what this team has done for me.”
Coach Cadwallader said watching Kloberdanz grow and lead this season has been one of the most rewarding parts of her job.
“She’s faced more than most adults ever will,” Cadwallader said. “But she shows up, she works hard, and she uplifts this team every day. She’s a remarkable young woman.”
Now in her final year at Foothill, Kloberdanz is focused on making her senior season count — not just for herself, but for her family, her teammates, and the parents whose memory continues to guide her.
“You don’t want them to see you gave up,” she said. “You want them to be proud of you.”