Whitney Agee, a student at the University of Kentucky, is living every cheerleader's dream. After years of taking the floor as an all star athlete, she made it onto one of the nation's premier college cheerleading teams and scored not one, but TWO national championship titles at the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance National Championship. 

Varsity TV asked Whitney to share her thoughts and advice on the transition from all star to collegiate cheerleading. Here's what she had to say about game day, serving as a school ambassador, and saying goodbye to her lucky competition shoes: 

What were the biggest changes you faced when transitioning from all star to collegiate cheer? 

College cheerleading brought on big changes for me. After all, college cheerleading can be extremely different from all star, depending on the program. When I started college cheerleading at Kentucky, I had to say goodbye to the glitter and shimmies. I missed my friends, the thrill of competing every weekend, the big hair and makeup, and my lucky competition shoes. But then, I realized that I had all these great memories to keep forever, and I was about to make some new ones!



How did you know which college program was right for you? 
Choosing the program that fits you is incredibly important. Luckily, I knew I wanted to cheer at the University of Kentucky like my momma did. Otherwise, it would have been a much harder decision for me, because there are so many great college cheerleading programs out there. That said, every program is different so make sure you get to know the ones you are interested in to see if they're right for you. 

Tell us about the transition from weekly competitions to game day.
Not having a competition to focus on every weekend was a major change of scenery for a retired all star cheerleader like me. But I've learned that game day can give you the most exhilarating feeling ever!  It might not be the same as competing at Disney World, but the pride that comes with wearing your school's mascot or logo on your chest is one of the best things to look forward to. There are so many fans, alumni, and children that recognize you just from being a cheerleader. 



That's amazing. Tell us how your role as a cheerleader has changed since starting at Kentucky. 
College cheerleaders are ambassadors for the school; it's our job to talk to people and represent the school in a positive way. My role as a cheerleader has really helped me develop as an athlete and as a person. I know that learning to talk to different kinds of people and understanding the responsibilities of a school representative will help me in the future. 

What else has college cheerleading taught you so far? 
College cheerleading has taught me a ton about organization! Workouts, practices, school and appearances make for a very busy schedule. I've learned that time management is everything! I had to learn how to maximize homework time between practices and workouts to make sure I was successful as an athlete and as a student. I also recommend using a planner! Writing down assignments, practices, workouts, and important events helps me keep everything on track. 

Any final words? 
Although college cheerleading can be very different from the all star world we all know and love, graduating doesn't have to be scary! Finding the right college fit for you and continuing to do what you love most in college is totally worth it.  Don't let anything stop you! 

Oh, and Go Cats! 

-Whit