When senior Kinsley Mollohan first joined cheerleading, it wasn’t because she dreamed of pyramids or perfect routines. 

“All of my friends were joining,” she remembered with a laugh. “So I decided that I wanted to try something different.” 

What she didn’t expect was to fall in love with the sport and to discover she had a natural talent for it.

At first, Kinsley learned everything on her own. No coach, no formal lessons, just countless hours spent mastering skills through trial and error. 

“I ended up being really good,” she admits modestly. 

That spark of success quickly grew into passion.

By the time high school rolled around, many of her cheer friends planned to continue. She couldn’t imagine walking away. 

“I had gotten pretty good on my own,” she said. “So I wanted to see how much I could improve with proper coaching.” 

With that mindset, she joined the high school team.

Over the next four years, Kinsley evolved from a self-taught beginner into a leader and mentor. 

“My greatest achievement has been becoming a better teacher,” she said proudly. “I’ve loved watching the underclassmen improve with my help and seeing them grow. Since I’m mainly self-taught, I think I’ve learned how to explain things in ways that really make sense to others.”

Cheer didn’t just make her a stronger athlete, it shaped her entire high school experience. 

“It’s given me a large social circle,” she explained. “Most of the friends I’ve made in high school are from the cheer team. It’s pushed me to meet new people and become a more social and welcoming person.”

Now, as she prepares to graduate, she carries those lessons with her. 

“In college, I plan to use the outgoing nature I’ve gained to meet new people and make new friends,” she said. “Cheer taught me how to connect, how to lead and how to believe in myself.”

What started as something Kinsley tried just to fit in became something that defined who she is. From the girl who taught herself her first cheer in her backyard to the senior guiding the next generation of cheerleaders, she’s proof that passion can start anywhere, no matter when you start.