He is quick to point out that it is not “cheer, ” it is “song.”

And for this song leader, pep squad is only one of his many involvements.

Antonio Matabang is a second year student who transferred from a nursing school.

He has a passion for the many facets of performance.

He explains that he may be a nursing major, but the bulk of his classes are dance.

“My life is juggled between nursing school, musicals and pep squad.”

He says that although there is much to be gained from pep squad involvement, his experience on the squad has not been entirely positive.

“Sometimes, I want to scream because I feel like I am in high school,” Matabang says referring to the squad.

“Some of them [pep squad members] feel all high and mighty and superior just because they’re on the pep squad.”

Matabang does point out, however, that there are experiences that come with being a squad member that he enjoys.

“I like half time. The only time I’m up is when were performing.”

With such a view of his fellow squad members, one may wonder why Matabang continues as a song leader.

“I’m not a quitter. I want to see this through,” he says. “I’ll be in it as long as they’ll accept me.”

Matabang also enjoys the performance aspect of the squad.

He says, “[performance] gives me an avenue to be a different person then who I am in a casual setting.”

Pep squad is not the only outlet for his performance.

Matabang recently performed in a musical, which he choreographed and performed in. The show’s director, Jonathan Jimenez says, “I am very thankful that he was a part of the cast. The show would not have been as good without him.”

Referring to Matabang’s dancing talent, Jimenez remarks, “I think he has really good ideas but he is really quiet.”

Musicals appear to be a good fit for Matabang who aspires to be what the performance world would regard as a triple threat: actor, singer, and dancer.

Matabang is also currently in rehearsal for the Downey Civic Opera’s production of “Damn Yankees.”

Although he is passionate about theatre, he also focuses on his future career.

Matabang plans to take the test to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse at the end of January. “By next week, I should be a nurse.”

He then plans to enter the Cerritos College nursing program to become a Registered Nurse.