Under the bright Friday night lights, sophomore Layla Gilpatrick feels most at home — surrounded by her teammates, cheering on Chandler with pride. “My favorite memory in a Chandler uniform is cheering under the Friday night lights with my favorite girls,” she said. That love for the energy and connection of cheer shines through in everything she does.
Layla serves as both a base and a tumbler for the Chandler cheer squad. Her focus during each routine is sharp and intentional. “When learning a challenging skill or step pattern, I focus on the counts, my sharpness, and keeping my motions tight no matter what!” she said. That attention to detail helps her and her teammates stay in sync.
This season, the Chandler squad has found its rhythm — and its spark. “Our team energy has been through the roof this year, we hype each other up and we’ve all gotten really close,” Layla shared. “Our timing and sharpness have gotten so much better! You can really tell our team works harder with each practice.”
For Layla, growth and leadership are at the heart of her goals. “My personal goal is to grow as a leader on the squad and continue pushing myself out of my comfort zone to hit harder skills,” she said. “I want to support my team, stay confident and represent Chandler with pride in every performance.”
That pride shows in the team’s focus and drive. “One of our biggest goals is hitting our routines and bringing strong energy to the mat,” Layla said. “We’ve been practicing hard, holding each other accountable and maintaining a positive mindset everywhere we go.”
Their biggest advantage, she says, isn’t a stunt or a skill — it’s unity. “Our biggest strength right now is our bond. We lift each other up.”
Off the mat, Layla is involved in Youth Group and Gifted and Talented. Looking to the future, she added, “After I’ve completed high school, I would like to cheer in college or pursue a career in cosmetology.”
