This week’s Farmer Focus is on sophomore Geraldine Polanco, a Farmerette who is already looking toward more dancing and living her life to the fullest.

SNAPSHOTS

Favorite season: Fall

Dream vacation: A trip to Paris

If you recorded a music album, who would feature in it?: Drake, Lil’ Uzi Vert, Kendrick Lamar

Best movie you’ve seen this year: “Princess and the Frog”

Favorite celebrity: Jhené Aiko

ZOOMING IN

Q: What inspired you to join the Farmerettes?

A: “I did dance when I was little in third and fourth grade, and then I had to stop because I was injured. Then, I came back my freshman year, and I wanted to do [an extracurricular in school].”

Q: What is the daily routine for the Farmerettes?

A: “When we get to practice, [we get in our squad lines and then we spread out and do our stretches in those same lines every day]. We go outside on the field to practice our halftime routine, or we would stay inside to do our pep rally routines. [We also go over things and learn new dances].”

Q: Describe your experience since this is your first year being on Farmerettes.

A: “I think it’s good and fun. It’s like any other type of dance; it’s really competitive, but it’s really nice to be in a new environment.”

Q: What were your favorite memories?

A: “The first football game. It was a very nice experience getting ready and doing the pep rally. Also, being in the gym, making Tiktok videos and talking to everybody.”

Q: What are some of the challenges you have to go through while being in the group?

A: “Some challenges are waking up at 5 a.m. because it’s very exhausting. And technique wise, I’m a left turner and everybody else is a right turner, so it’s hard to turn to the right [when practicing]. Another challenge is getting my jumps higher too, and being injured right now makes it a little more stressful.”

Q: How do you mentally prepare to perform?

A: “I always pray in my head even after we pray as a group. Then, I stretch depending on our routine. [Another way is moving around and talking to myself before going on stage].”

Q: What are some of the activities you and the Farmerettes do?

A: “The officers always try to have a game for us when we’re struggling with our dance; they’ll try to get our heads back in the game. For example, we have something called a hype circle, where we circle around the seniors in the middle and we yell. Sometimes, there are dances we do, and they’re really fun.”

Q: What’s a life lesson you’ve learned from being on Farmerettes?

A: “Never let other people tell you you can’t do something. If someone doubts you, still do it and prove them wrong.”