Junior Reese Dobson displays leadership on the mat and in the classroom

by Eliza Wooden

As cheerleader and junior Reese Dobson steps onto the mat, she yells out to her teammates, “You’ve got this! Let’s go, Jeff,” and steps into position.

The music begins, and Dobson is prepared. She is tight, supportive, and ready to do whatever it takes to end this routine on a high note.

“I make sure I come to practice with a good attitude and a good work ethic, and make sure that I am here to be positive, happy, help others, and work as hard as I can,” said Dobson. 

Dobson is a leader and a strong representative for JHS, often friendly, extroverted, and compassionate, especially toward underclassmen.

Freshman Jamie Hatton said, “Reese is very kind, outgoing, smart, and positive. I have known Reese for about one year, and she has helped me be more confident in myself.” 

Dobson is not just involved in cheerleading; she is also a student ambassador. That’s where she gets most of her leadership experience. 

Senior Averi Burdette said, “Reese improves the cheer team by always having an outstanding attitude and being a great team leader. She encourages everyone and helps keep the team motivated, even when things get stressful or difficult.” 

Dobson cares a lot about her school work, which is why she works to balance her student ambassador work, classes, and cheerleading with her roles as Junior Class president and Student Council.

Dobson said, “The most important thing is remembering to take a break sometimes and relax. Something that I struggle with is doing too many things at a time and letting it affect how I do those things and letting it get in my head.” 

Adding to her busy schedule, Dobson takes Advanced Placement classes, which can be very hard for a student-athlete.

“My AP classes require a lot of studying, and I make sure to set off time aside each night to go over what I learned or what I need to prepare for a test,” she said.

That discipline shows up everywhere. Whether she’s in class, at a student ambassador event, or leading a Student Council meeting, teachers and teammates say Dobson brings the same energy she brings to the mat.

While some athletes focus only on the routine, Dobson checks in on teammates and runs through the cheer again with anyone who might have missed a count.

That mindset has made her a role model and leader. For underclassmen, she isn’t just the upperclassman who can hit a stunt; she’s the person who will help with homework or hype them up before their next varsity game.

Dobson said, “Something that I do is take a second and remember that everything is going to work out and that it’s okay if things get stressful or hard. I always want to do everything with my best intent, so sometimes the best thing for you to do is to take breaks and come back to it.” 

When the music stops and Dobson steps off the mat, her job as a leader isn’t over. She immediately high-fives her teammates and tells them how well they did. Tight, ready, and positive, just like she started.

Freshman Cora Holt brings positive work ethic to cheerleading

by Evelyn Speedy

Freshman cheerleader Cora Holt walks in to practice, adjusts her backpack on her shoulder, and then sits down to warm up, preparing herself for a successful, productive practice.

On first thought, you might think that she is just there to cheer on the football and basketball players. 

However, what some people don’t know is that she is much more than that.

Not only does Holt cheer on the sidelines, but she also competes with her team and puts in the work to get better everyday, all while being on four separate teams at JHS.

“Cheerleading is not just a club; it’s way harder than it looks,” said Holt.

Even when Holt was a little kid joining Jeff High’s cheer kiddie clinic, she has seen herself being a cheerleader in the future.

“High school cheer is something I’ve looked forward to for years, and now I finally get to be a part of it,” she said.

Even though this is Holt’s first time cheering for JHS, she still feels like she is where she should be and that she belongs both in and out of the gym.

“I enjoy being a cheerleader because it feels like my environment, it’s what I’m good at, and I truly feel like I belong there and it’s what I’m meant to do.”

Not only do her coaches feel as if she is a good teammate and cheerleader, but so do her teammates.

“She is a very good athlete with an amazing work ethic. She is always trying to get help from people and do what she can for her team,” said freshman cheerleader Adeline Bainbridge. “She brings a positive attitude everyday, even on hard practices she is always there and trying to uplift everyone.”

However, Holt did not get to where she is without putting in a massive amount of effort.

“Cora gives 110% effort in everything she does. She always makes sure she is doing her best, giving it her all, and she is always the first person to be willing to try something new,” said freshman cheerleader Jamie Hatton.

The work that she puts into her sport does not go unnoticed.

“I have seen her become a much stronger athlete this season and a lot more confident in herself and her skills,” said Bainbridge.

Holt also has many qualities and features that help her in the sport she loves.

“I feel as if my very loud and deep voice helps me cheer because we have to be very sharp with our voices and I think that it is something I have naturally, so it helps me be the best cheerleader I can be.”

She provided an “inside look” at the unique cheerleading experience.

“You can describe what cheer is, but you can’t describe what it feels like. That’s something you have to experience for yourself.”

At A Glance

Birthday: Feb. 11, 2012

Hometown: Jeffersonville, Indiana

Favorite Food: Caesar salad

Favorite Color: Baby blue

Favorite Movie: “Tangled“

Cheerleading provides opportunity and friendships to freshman Chloe Wyatt

by Gabriella Linares

Freshman Chloe Wyatt has just started her first year as a JHS cheerleader, but she has already begun to make an impact on all the people around her.

She may seem like just an ordinary girl who wants to cheer for the players of the school. However, there is more to her cheerleading story than it seems.

Most people wouldn’t think that she has been cheering almost all her life.

“When I was little, my mom put me into the kiddie clinic at JHS in 2018, and ever since then I fell in love with it,” stated Wyatt. 

Cheer has been different for her almost everywhere she goes, but so far at JHS, it has treated her well. 

“It has been fun and has helped me get to know the people and the school.” 

JHS cheer has helped her in so many ways other than just getting out of her comfort zone. She has learned a lot about herself during the time she has been a cheerleader.

“Cheer helps me be myself and express my feelings and emotions. It has helped me become a better person and it’s also taught me about myself.”

Wyatt has a dream after she leaves high school, and this dream of hers still involves cheerleading. 

“My dream after high school is to be a cheerleader at the University of Kentucky, be a pediatrician, and or to be on a Worlds cheerleading team.” 

Outside of cheer, she is a role model to others and in general a genuine person. She strives to be understanding and helpful for others, even if she isn’t in that situation.

“I try to always be there for my friends and understand what they’re going through.” 

Wyatt’s friends have learned a lot from her, like learning to be better people. They say she brings out the best in the people she is around and makes whatever room she walks in brighter.

“Chloe has taught me to just be myself no matter what others think. She brings out a different side of me. Being around Chloe makes me feel happy and safe. Every time I’m with her, I feel like I can be myself,”  freshman Lailah Miller stated.

She brings a passionate smile to everyone she is around, in and out of cheer. She is filled with a bright and bubbly personality, according to her friends.

“She is a very passionate person in anything she believes. She carries a smile through everything and is confident in what she does. When I’m around her, it is constant laughter and smiles,” said freshman Willow Williams.

Cheer is always seen as an extracurricular activity, but to Wyatt, it has given her lifelong friends and mentors.

“My coaches and teammates are always there for me and show up when I need them.”

At A Glance

Birthday: Feb. 9, 2012

Favorite Color: Pink

Dream College: IU

Favorite Drink: Cotton Candy Alani

Favorite Subject: Math