NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame cheerleading program announced its Leprechaun lineup for the 2021-22 school year Wednesday, following a tryout last week.
Graduate student Pat Johnson, seniors Gabe Ramos and Alex Sampson, and junior Sophie Bouldoukian will don the green suit and Irish country hat next season.
“Our staff is super excited to be welcoming this next class of Leprechauns,” head coach Delayna Herndon said. “They’ll be in great hands with the leadership to the returning members and know that together they’ll create a lasting legacy!”
The 2021 tryouts resumed a more normal format with health and safety regulations in mind. Each applicant, while wearing a face mask, performed in front of a panel of judges at Alumni Stadium, with a physically distant audience of the student body.
SOPHIE BOULDOUKIAN
Bouldoukian, a rising junior living in Breen-Phillips, was selected to the Leprechaun class after her first tryout. Bouldoukian will be the second female to portray the Leprechaun, following graduating senior Lynnette Wukie.
This is a huge honor to represent the University as the Leprechaun,” Bouldoukian said. “To say I am very excited is an understatement. This is such a blessing.”
The Science-Business major enjoys spending time with friends, going on walks, watching new shows on Netflix, and trying new things on the Starbucks menu.
PAT JOHNSON
Pat Johnson, a rising graduate student from Mineola, New York, reprises the role after serving as Leprechaun in 2020-21.
“Coming back one more year gives me the opportunity to do what I love for this University — spreading positivity and inspiring hope,” Johnson said.
Johnson, a resident of Stanford Hall, is a Film, Television, and Theater and Marketing major, who has participated in cheer and Bengal Bouts while at Notre Dame. He has served as a student assistant in the FTT program, as well as a Communications Assistant for Notre Dame’s First Year Studies program.
GABE RAMOS
Ramos was selected to portray the Leprechaun after his first tryout for the role in 2020-21 and will return in the role during his senior year. The story of the Fighting Irish spirit has resonated with Ramos, a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, the first Leprechaun of Dominican descent.
“It really is the gift of a lifetime to be given the opportunity to return as a member of the squad,” Ramos said. “It gives me a golden chance to continue to serve the community and deepen my place in the Notre Dame family as a locus of joy, unity, and pride!”
Ramos, a resident of Keenan Hall, is an Anthropology and Pre-Health major. Since enrolling at Notre Dame, Ramos has been an anchor for NDIgnite, an ExpaND Diversity lecturer, and is a member of both the Notre Dame Glee Club and the Notre Dame Undertones.
ALEX SAMPSON
Sampson, a Business Analytics major with a minor in Business Technology, is a rising senior and will portray the Leprechaun next year after his first tryout for the role.
“Being the Leprechaun is truly amazing,” Sampson said. “It’s the best way to give back to Notre Dame, and inspire others to appreciate the support, community, and fun the University provides.”
Sampson, also a member of the Cheer team, enjoys cooking, playing Guitar Hero, reading, and hiking.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY OF THE 2021-22 CLASS OF LEPRECHAUNS BY CHECKING OUT @NDTHELEPRECHAUN ON TWITTER AND @ND_THELEPRECHAUN ON INSTAGRAM.
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