HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Hanceville freshman cheerleader Kinsley Wright has been cheering for three years and this is her first year on the varsity squad. She has enjoyed the experience so far and has learned so much from her teammates.
“It has been such a good experience being on varsity. I have learned so many new skills, but I have also learned a lot about being a team player and always giving it your all,” Wright said. “It has been amazing. I have learned so much from my teammates, and I am so blessed to be a part of an amazing group of girls. The older girls have definitely guided and helped me a lot this year. I love the laughs that I get to have with the girls. We love to have fun and cheer our teams on. I have learned how to be a strong cheerleader. I have learned that it takes a lot of hard work and practice to get where you want to be. They have taught me how to better my skills and become an even better cheerleader. God has truly blessed me with these girls.”
Kinsley is so happy to be cheering under some great coaches in Phamie Brown and Justina Radcliff and has taken away so much from them so far. The Lady Bulldogs placed 14th at the state competition a few days ago, and she soaked up so much from that experience.
“They have been amazing coaches. They are very understanding and love to try new things. They have taught me that even through the hard times, our team will pull through. They have taught us that confidence is everything, and you have to believe in yourself if you want to succeed,” Wright said. “It was the best time. I love doing challenging things as a team, because it makes us a stronger team. My coaches were so positive the whole way through. I am beyond blessed to have such a positive team. They always see the good in the stressful times. We have worked so incredibly hard, and it is so amazing to see all of our hard work and dedication pay off.”
She added,
“I learned that you have to believe in yourself, even during the stressful times. You also can’t second-guess yourself just because you are nervous. You have to have fun and that’s what it is all about.”
Kinsley has learned a lot of things during her cheer career so far and has seen a great amount of improvement in her performance from the start of the season until now.
“I have learned to have faith during the stressful times and never doubt yourself. I have also learned that it is important to lift up others when they are doubting themselves. You have to have self-confidence, even when you are in doubt. I have also learned that it is so important to be on the same page with everyone on your team. Communication is key when it comes to cheer. You all have to work together and communicate in stunts, tumbling, and forming a routine,” she said. “I have seen a lot of growth in my performance from the start of the season until now. I am so grateful to have understanding teammates that will help me when I am confused about a skill. I have improved the most on my stunting. I have learned new techniques and tricks to make me a better base. My coaches have guided me and given me so much advice and help with stunts.”
Kinsley set some goals before the season and was proud to achieve them. She’s definitely learned a lot about herself and this team so far.
“At the beginning of the year, I had set the goals of working as hard as I can to keep my spirit up, and cheer on my team the best I possibly can. I believe that I have achieved those goals, and I am so happy about it,” she said. “I have learned that it is so important to always stay positive. Positivity is the best attitude to have every day. You can change a person’s whole day with a smile or kind words. My team and I are positive, and we help each other in a kind way. Everyone wants to be on a team with a positive attitude, and my team and I have that positive spirit.”
This has been a special season for Hanceville’s cheer squad so far, and Kinsley feels blessed to be a part of it. She has taken away so much from some great upperclassmen so far.
“What has made this team so special to me is our effort. We put in so many hours of hard work, and we continue to exceed our goals. Everyone on the team knows how important it is to put in the work, and our coaches push us to become better and better every day. Everyone on the team truly has a big love for cheer and as a team, that is so important,” she said. “They have taught me to be the best possible cheerleader, and whenever I need help, they are always right there. I have learned so many new cheers, chants, and dances from them. They are all incredible at being patient and teaching me how to perfect my motions. They are positive and always make light of every situation, and God knew that I needed them.”
Kinsley talked about her role models in cheerleading, the best advice that someone ever gave her, her advice to any girls that want to get into cheer, and how important it is to be a role model for the younger girls that are watching her, and the rest of the team perform.
“My role models are definitely the upperclassmen. They have taught me so much, as well as my coaches. They make me a better cheerleader and person every day,” she said. “The best advice that someone has ever given me is, ‘Anything is possible, as long as you have God on your side.’ My advice to the girls that want to get into cheer is that keeping a positive attitude and working as hard as you can will help you achieve your goals.”
She added,
“It is so important to be good role models for the younger girls. My team and I help them with their routines, and we’ve even gone to a few of their practices to teach them cheers. It is so important that we show the younger girls how to be leaders, because they are the future of Hanceville varsity cheer. They are such an amazing group, and I am beyond excited for them to be the future of Hanceville varsity cheer.”
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