Westview High School junior Bella Paguyo earned the top individual award at a National Cheer Association (NCA) camp for the second straight year, scoring highest among 20 nominees at the University of San Diego on July 27.

NCA instructors nominated cheerleaders for the All-American Award based on jumps, motions, tumbling, stunting, dance, leadership, spirit and work ethic.

The NCA describes the All-American program as "the most popular and prestigious individual cheerleading recognition in America." Only one cheerleader per camp receives the top honor.

"This is my second year getting it [and scoring highest], and I think it's really exciting, because it's kind of like a reputation to uphold," Paguyo said in an article published on Aug. 28, by The Nexus, Westview's student newspaper.

Nominees had one day to prepare the All-American cheer, then performed solo. Paguyo estimated more than 150 cheerleaders watched each performance. She said she was nervous but found it fun because the audience was full of friends.

The Westview squad trained 12 hours a day from July 24 through July 27 alongside cheerleaders from Mater Dei, Ramona and Rock Academy.

Head coach Melissa Hoekert, known as "Coachie," has led the program since 2000, according to the school's athletics page. Under her tenure, Westview has placed in the state's top two 15 times and won nine state titles.

Co-captains Cierra Schwarberg and Clara Lynch, both seniors, said the camp gave the team new material heading into the fall season. Schwarberg said the stunts learned at camp are cleared for sideline use.

"We're bringing the stunts that we learned and the skills that we built [into] the team," Schwarberg told The Nexus. "… It's really useful because all the stunts you learn there are allowed to be performed on the field."

The squad debuted new cheers and a band chant at Westview's Beginning of the Year Rally the week of Monday, Aug. 24.

Schwarberg said the camp helped the team build energy for performing in front of the Black Hole, Westview's student section.

Lynch said the intensive four-day schedule strengthened the team's commitment and called the experience difficult but worth it heading into the season.