They Call That Kid a Whiz

Editor’s note: Whiz Kid is a new weekly Patch feature highlighting a local kid who makes this community great in his or her own, unique way. If you know a child you’d like to nominate for Whiz Kid, send me an e-mail at paige.austin@patch.com.

Name: Zoe Martineau

Age: 16

School: Junior at Los Alamitos High School

Sport: Cheer

The Los Alamitos High School song and cheer squads will hold their annual exhibition March 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. at the school gymnasium. Admission is $5 per person.

How long have you been in cheer? Three years

What do you love about it? “I started out with the private Hawaiian Style Cheer Team, taught by the Los Alamitos High School varsity cheer coach. It taught me everything I know about cheer, and it’s where I realized I have a passion for it. Everyone is watching you, and the spirit is really intense, and you give it your all, and you feel really good.

“Also, the progress over time is rewarding … I have been in gymnastics since I was 7, but I never really progressed fast. It always took me extra time, and I had to work at it.

“It’s an honor to be able to tumble for your team. There was an entire year when I could have been tumbling, but I had a mental block. I needed to do a back handspring, but I couldn’t make myself do it. I was scared of getting hurt. Aside from training and fitness, tumbling is 80 to 90 percent mental. You have to believe in yourself, and I didn’t think I could do it. Then one day, I did it. I kind of teared up. I got past it, and I was doing double back handsprings that same week.”

Family: Mom, dad and 14-year-old brother

Hobbies: Playing piano

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite book: Harry Potter series

Favorite movie: Becoming Jane

Greatest challenge: “I am really shy sometimes. Not caring what other people think and actually saying what I feel has been a challenge for me. I have had to work at the belief that I have something to offer, and I have learned that I do have something to offer.”

What quality do you possess that you are most proud of? Strong work ethic

Is there something that you feel you need to work on? Confidence

What do you want to be when you grow up? “I am undecided. I have always had an interest in fashion. I also want to reach out and help the world and use my brain,” said Zoe, adding that she might also like to work with people who have special needs. “My brother is autistic, and my mother teaches special-needs students, so I have a lot of experience working with people who have special needs.”

Anything you’d like to add? “I appreciate all that cheer has done for me. Cheer is a close-knit family. The girls on the cheer team are well-rounded individuals. Most of them are in honors classes and have jobs and are on other cheer teams. … I am proud to be on Los Al cheer."