Jaylynn Malcolm, a senior at Perry High School, is the epitome of what it means to be a student-athlete and leader. As a dedicated cheerleader, Jaylynn primarily serves as a side base, helping to support and lift her teammates, both literally and figuratively. Her motivation comes not just from the excitement of the sport, but from the strong bond she shares with her teammates and the encouragement of her coaches. “It gives me great pride to know that every time I’m cheering, I’m not just representing myself, but also my teammates, my school, and the community,” she says.
Jaylynn’s commitment to excellence goes far beyond the sidelines. Her cheer career highlight came during her junior year when she became a 3x Academic State Champion. This is an achievement that reflects her dedication in both athletics and academics. She’s also a standout member of several organizations, including Youth and Government, National Honor Society, Student Council, FCA, Youth on Main Street, and the Gifted Program. Balancing all of these commitments requires discipline, but Jaylynn credits her success to “a lot of hard work, positivity, and believing in myself and my teammates.”
One of Jaylynn’s biggest inspirations is her mother, who has been a constant source of support and encouragement throughout her life. She also looks up to tennis star Naomi Osaka for the way she uses her platform to speak out on mental health and social justice issues. “Naomi leads with integrity and courage and inspires me to stand up for what I believe in,” Jaylynn says.
Cheerleading, for Jaylynn, is about more than just performing, it’s about perseverance. “Cheer teaches that you have to push through the struggles and keep showing up,” she explains.
As she looks to the future, Jaylynn hopes to leave behind more than trophies and titles. “I hope to leave a lasting legacy on my team and inspire all of my teammates to always believe in themselves and know that Perry Cheer wouldn’t be the amazing team it is without them.”
