November 2, 2017
Sophia Rose Dasaro packs quite the punch in her fun-sized stature. As a senior, Sophia is captain of the fall Cheerleading squad and an avid participant of the STEM club. A whopping 4-foot-11, Sophia lives up to the term “fun-sized.” She has been coined with the nickname “Bean” ever since she started cheer in 2005.
“Basically I am small and I was wearing a lime green jumpsuit,” Sophia said. Ever since then, the nickname has stuck.
While her petite appearance may be the first thing people notice when meeting Sophia, her size is certainly not what defines her.
“Aside from the fact that she’s so small, good sense of humor, her writing really grew,” English teacher Ms. Dunphy said. “She had a very strong voice.” Ms. Dunphy has had Sophia for creative writing, AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition.
Sophia has a busy schedule year-round with All Star Cheer. Fall is her busiest season because she has to juggle her academics, West Essex cheer and All-Star Cheer. As a stress-reliever, Sophia likes to, you guessed it, cheer. She is very passionate about the sport and loves to participate in a coed stunting program when not practicing with her official teams.
After school and practice, Sophia is welcomed home by her dog Brandy and her three chinchillas: Ozzie, Pappi and Boobear. Sophia quickly went from dreaming about owning a chinchilla to caring for three. She originally purchased a chinchilla named Herb who passed away. After his passing, Sophia purchased two more chinchillas.
“I still needed a chinchilla in my life,” Sophia said. Her friend was giving up Boobear and Sophia decided to take him in because she could not bear the idea of Boobear going to a stranger.
Surrounded by animals in her home, Sophia makes sure the people she interacts with are just as kind as her pets. “There are so many great people I surround myself with,” Sophia said. “I realize that if you have the right people around you then there is no one to hold you back but yourself.”
Senior Teresa Marinuzzi is one of those “right people.” Marinuzzi has known Sophia for about nine years and describes her as someone who is extremely driven and constantly looking to help the people she cares about. “She’s also pretty funny and super loyal,” Marinuzzi said.
Sophia hopes to pursue chemical engineering in college and also continue cheering. Her peers and teachers truly believe that Sophia will have success in whatever she pursues in the future because of her hardworking nature.
“More than anything, I wish her happiness,” Ms. Dunphy said. “She is a smart, kind person and I would like to see her do well.”
While Sophia’s future is not completely set yet, this small girl packs a punch, ready to cheer through whatever obstacles come her way.
