Member turned captain: Knew the way, showed the way

Photo Source: Adamson Chronicle

“It was a calling.”

Jeremy Lorenzo shares the story of his journey from being a member to now, being the head coach of the Adamson Pep Squad.

Jeremy had a passion for dancing, he said that he had watched cheer dancing competitions on Youtube and Studio 23 in internet shops during his third and fourth-year high school.

He also mentioned that he tried to take Fine Arts at his dream schools, the University of the Philippines (UP) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST). But, the course was expensive, and ended up at Adamson University (AdU) as a Mass Communication student.

Having a financial crisis at that time, Jeremy found a way to get a scholarship—trying out for the auditions for the Adamson Pep Squad and fortunately, became their official member.

At his time, he described the Pep Squad’s losses as a given, having to encounter big-time universities like UP, FEU, UST, and NU. He said that it wasn’t their time, still giving recognition for the other teams’ hard work and adding that they weren’t well-privileged, unlike other universities.

Lorenzo still felt thankful to meet his dream schools (UP and UST) and perform at bigger arenas, saying it was a “dream come true.”.

Soon after he graduated, Jeremy was employed in Japan in 2015 as a choreographer. Unfortunately, on half of his contract, he wasn’t on good terms with his employer.

As his former team at Adamson lost a coach after ending up as the seventh placer in 2015, he tried to apply as their coach. Being an alumnus, the admins from the university gave him a chance.

Jeremy saw the potential of his team, seeing them as dark horses. He continued to show support and taught them everything he knew as their senior, showing his heart is in Adamson.

He said his first year of teaching as a coach was challenging, setting boundaries with his former teammates. He said that they treated him as an older brother and now, their second parent.

Adamson, having lost at seventh place in 2015, regained their composure the following years, claiming third place and its first championship title in 2017.

“I won’t stop believing that we can (reclaim the title as champions), we’re now four years straight on the podium, my burning desire won’t stop from reclaiming the Championships,” Lorenzo said.

As the head coach of his team, he instills discipline and the Adamsonian culture to be humble. He also believes that he should immerse in his team’s interests, treating them as his younger siblings.

Training and executing difficult routines was a part of Jeremy’s life before. He now creates the team’s routines, with months and tons of preparation, designing team uniforms, composing the cheers, and drafting music, making his life truly an inspiring story.

From being an athlete to a coach, Jeremy’s perspective on cheer dancing has changed. A beautiful and thrilling sport, combined with artistic routines, he became the painter and the architect of the whole picture.