Growing up, my dad would ALWAYS tell me I was going to be an Oklahoma State cheerleader. Every time he said this, I would say, "No way--I'm gonna be a gymnast."

For the six years I did gymnastics, I was convinced I would never be a cheerleader. But after a few years of gymnastics I decided to change directions. So when it came time for 7th grade cheer tryouts, I tried out. Once I made the team, I made the transition.

It was the best decision of my life.

Initially, it was a slightly awkward transition. I was trying to learn how to "cheer" and be "peppy," but I picked up the skills very quickly. I continued school cheer through high school, and I had the pleasure of winning NCA High School Nationals my senior year in the Small Advanced division as well as being chosen for the Oklahoma All-State cheer team.

In 8th grade, I joined Tribe Cheer, a competitive cheer gym located in Moore, Oklahoma. I then spent the next six cheer seasons at Tribe on eight different teams. I started on a Junior level 4 team in the 2010-2011 season and I ended my sixth season on the International Small Coed level 6 team during the 2015-2016 season. I finished my sixth season at Tribe with two NCA championship titles, but what I cherish even more than that is the family I made along the way.

Tribe was truly my home, and I know I can walk in the gym any day of the week and immediately feel so welcome. I had the pleasure of having younger athletes in the gym look up to me. I soaked in every second of it trying to be the best model person for these athletes. There is not a day in the gym that I don't meet new little athletes just to compliment them or help them with their skills or tell them how amazing they are.

If I can make a difference in one little girl's day, that's all that matters.

After high school, I moved to Oklahoma State university and spent my first year on the all-girl team. It was the perfect year, but due to an injury I had to sit out my first championship. After the initial disappointment, I knew it wasn't the end of the world, and I went to Daytona to watch my team get second in the nation! It was pretty amazing to be a part of it.

In May, I tried out and made the large coed team here at Oklahoma State, and it has been a dream come true. The Oklahoma State cheer program is truly the best in the nation, and I'm thankful for every day I get to spend cheering at the greatest school in the country.