For senior cheerleader Avery Walker, cheer has been more than just a sport; it’s been a crucial part of her high school experience. 

“Being a cheerleader has given me the opportunity to have so many close friendships and has taught me how to manage an extremely demanding sport while also making good grades and maintaining a social life,” Avery shared. 

Through four years on the team, she’s learned balance, dedication and teamwork skills she knows will carry her far beyond high school.      

When looking back on her cheer career, Avery reflected on one of her proudest moments.

“After being on the team for the past four years, I would say that my greatest achievement would be making school history with our competition team by advancing at UCA Nationals,” she said, sharing that the milestone was the perfect example of how hard work and perseverance pay off.

As her senior year comes to an end, Avery can’t help but feel nostalgic. 

“I truly believe that I will miss the friendships and bonds that I have created in high school as well as the many memories that I’ve been blessed to have made,” she said. 

Those relationships and shared experiences, especially through cheer, have shaped who she is today.

When asked which year she’d redo if she could, Avery didn’t hesitate. 

“I would 100% want to redo junior year,” Avery said. “It was a really rough year for me, but while I believe that I would like to go back and change things, I know that junior year played a huge part in my character development and how I changed as a person for the better.”

Looking ahead, Avery is excited for what’s next. 

“I plan on continuing to cheer in college wherever I choose to go to school,” she said. “I don’t know for sure if I will try to continue when I graduate college, but we’ll see!”

No matter where she ends up, Avery will always carry with her the happiness, memories and spirit that cheerleading has brought into her life during her high school years.