FAIRVIEW, Ala. — In this interview, I talked to Fairview senior cheerleader Samantha Rogers. She was in several clubs in addition to being on the cheerleading team for three years and was selected as a co-captain her senior year. She talked about that experience and what she learned during her Aggie years.
“I was in the FCCLA for four years and was vice president my senior year. I was also the Student Council representative for three years and a member of the Key Club for two years. That experience was amazing. I loved getting to help the community continuously and the opportunities those clubs gave me to do that,” Rogers said. “The thing about Fairview is the community and the family that we build. You will notice that every teacher genuinely cares about their students and that affects the students so much. They taught me to always be there for people and always be there to listen because you never know how much that will help by just listening.”
She added,
“As for the clubs I was fortunate to be a part of, it taught me how much the little things you do make such a big impact on the community. Fairview’s Key Club was fortunate enough to do several things this year, especially with special needs, and I loved it. You could just see their faces light up every time we would go play basketball or just hang out with them. As for cheer, it taught me how to work well with a team and how important it is to show up. You build this family; it’s like you have 13 more sisters. Showing up for someone who needs you and working with them to get something accomplished instead of letting them figure it out by themselves or even letting someone else help you, will be something I will continue to do forever.”
Samantha was blessed to get to cheer alongside some great girls and talked about what it was like being named the co-captain of the cheer squad.
“It was amazing. You build a second family. Even though it was hard at times, and we argued sometimes, at the end of the day, you all love each other. It was like always getting to hang out with your best friends and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Rogers said. “I was so thankful when I was named the co-captain. Being able to help lead this group of girls pushed me in ways I didn’t realize I needed until after I was done with cheer. Being a varsity cheerleader, you are always a big role model for the youth cheerleaders. I actually helped the Fairview Youth cheerleaders and have the last several years, so I really wanted this group of girls to always do their best because you never know how many little girls are watching the girls they want to grow up to be someday.”
She added,
“I am sad my days of cheering with them are done, but I am excited to watch and see how much they grow these next few years. They have some great leaders this year and I know every single one of them are capable of doing great things.”
Samantha talked about some of her favorite club/cheer memories and her favorite high school memories as well.
“Some of my favorite memories would be the Alabama Joint Leadership Development Conference last year for FCCLA, the cheer lock-ins, the late nights in the hotel rooms at Nationals, and going to the park. The JLDC conference was so fun, getting to hang out with a bunch of different FCCLA clubs from all over the state and getting to listen to a bunch of different speakers. As for cheer, the lock-ins were definitely something else. It was time for us to just hang out and have fun. The late nights at Nationals were so fun, partly, because we were actually so tired from going from parks, to practice, to competing, but it was actually so funny to see us like that, and of course, the parks were fun.”
She added,
“I absolutely loved homecoming week: all the classes competing against each other to get the most points at the end of the week and all the competitions we had that week. This year, we brought back decorating the hallways, so that was really fun. The energy at the homecoming pep rally and the game was amazing. I also love the in-county rivalry games; those were always so much fun. Two years ago, when Fairview’s football team made it to the semifinals, that’s something I’ll never forget. I’ll also never forget all the laughs I had with all my friends. Every day at lunch was so fun and my sixth period English class this year is something I’ll never forget, just because of the people and all the memories we made in there.”
Fairview will remain close to Samantha’s heart and will deeply miss being an Aggie next year.
“What made Fairview a special place to go to is the community and the family there. The whole school will come together to help or show support for one student in need, or someone in the town that needs help. I will remember the teachers who I had several years the most. They actually mean so much more to me than they will ever know,” she said. “I will definitely miss seeing everyone every day, whether it be my friends or my teachers. Almost every day for the past four years, you see them, and it’s definitely going to be different not being able to.”
Samantha talked about what all she will take away during her time at Fairview and gave some advice to the upcoming freshmen.
“I will take away all the friendships and the life lessons I learned throughout my time at Fairview,” she said. “My advice to them would be, it will go by so fast. I know you’re probably tired of hearing that and probably don’t believe it, because I didn’t, but before you know it, you will be walking across the stage. Take it all in while you can. Make as many memories as you can, join all the clubs, go to all the games, and be involved, because you will regret it if you don’t. It won’t always be easy. There will be times when you’ll feel like giving up, but high school is the time to make memories and have fun, so do it while you can.”
Samantha had so many great role models during her time as an Aggie and she also talked about the best advice that someone ever gave her.
“I had a lot of role models: Mrs. Haynes, Mrs. Watts, Coach Daniel, and both my coaches, Mrs. Martin, and Mrs. Sizemore. They all helped me a lot and I love them all so much,” she said. “The best piece of advice I received would be to never change for anyone. Always be yourself. I think everyone should live by this, because there is nothing more important than staying true to yourself.”
Copyright 2023 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
