Cheerleaders are a key part of any high school athletic department. Not only do they compete in their competitions, but they are also there on the sidelines at football and basketball games cheering on their school to victory. Abbigail Bolen says that cheering for Perry is something that she is proud to be able to do.
“I love this community,” she said proudly. “I moved here four years ago, and you can feel the small-town pride anywhere you go. It is a great feeling knowing that this town will back you up one hundred percent.”
Bolen is a junior at Perry High School, where she is a flyer on the cheer team, and she is also a mat maid. Outside of sports, she is a member of the Student Council, the National Honor Society, and the National Art Honor Society.
She first started cheering when she was in the first grade. Over her career, Bolen has invested a lot of time to become the cheerleader she is today. She has also made a lot of memories with her teammtes.
“Being successful takes many hours at practice, along with lots of reps,” she said. “I think my favorite memory of cheer is saving my stunt at regionals and getting runner-up last year.”
Also important to her success have been people in Abbigail’s life who have helped her become who she is today.
“One of my biggest role models is Gabi Butler,” she said. “I look up to her because of her amazing athletic ability. Nik Turner is the teacher who has left the biggest impact in my life because not only did he teach me the basic things I needed to learn, he also taught me how to face adversity head-on. And I would say my teammates, because they motivate me to become a better person on and off the mat.”
Being successful in the classroom is vital for Bolen to be able to be successful in cheer and other aspects of her life. While it can get busy at times, she has a plan to help her get everything accomplished.
“I have learned time management and to work on school work any free chance I have, whether it’s a free period at school or if it’s on the van ride to a sporting event,” she said.
