White County High School senior Makenna Laws hopes to extend her nine-year cheerleading career into college after developing the confidence and leadership skills to overcome the nerves that once made performing in front of crowds intimidating.
Laws said her four years cheering for the Warriors and Warriorettes have strengthened her stunting abilities, communication skills and relationships with teammates. She hopes to attend Bryan College and join its cheerleading program.
“It’s been a rollercoaster,” Laws said. “Finding new things about myself and about the team and just how I’ve improved in stunting and my leadership and just getting myself out there and just talking to everyone and just having the best time of my life.”
Laws said her first game as a freshman brought overwhelming nerves as she stepped in front of a crowd. Encouragement from her teammates helped her overcome that anxiety and eventually become comfortable performing at school sporting events.
“They were just so encouraging and just making me laugh and saying, ‘You’ve got this,’ and just knowing that they were there with me, everything just brushed off,” Laws said.
Laws said the friendships she developed through cheerleading have become one of the most meaningful parts of her high school experience. The support she receives from teammates extends beyond practices and games into everyday interactions at school.
“It made me realize that just having a bunch of girls that can just come up and just be your friend and talk to you and every time you see them in the hallway they’re like, ‘Oh, hey! How are you doing?’ and giving you hugs and just telling you to have a great day and just being there for you,” Laws said.
Laws said creating excitement at sporting events has also been a highlight of her experience. Among her favorite traditions are the “S-S-S-P-A” chant and the “We Are One” cheer led by Principal Greg Wilson, both of which encourage fans to participate.
As she prepares to graduate, Laws said she hopes younger cheerleaders will embrace opportunities without allowing fear to limit their experiences.
“I hope that they learn the courage and the excitement that they get for cheering and just do what makes you happy and don’t be scared to do it because if you’re scared then your scaredness will stop you and just be happy and it’ll all fold together,” Laws said.