Kellyville High School junior cheerleader Naya Haggard doesn’t just see herself as another face on the sideline. She sees herself as a leader, a supporter and a steady presence her teammates can count on every day.
Haggard, an junior at Kellyville, says her role on the varsity cheer squad centers on lifting others up, both on and off the mat. “My job on the cheer squad is to be a leader and encourage people to do their best,” Haggard said. She takes that responsibility seriously, focusing on making sure every teammate feels valued and confident.
What she enjoys most about cheer has little to do with the spotlight and everything to do with the people beside her. “I enjoy being able to experience bonding with my teammates and helping them with their confidence, and always making sure their home away from home is enjoyable and a comfortable environment,” Haggard said. Whether it is a long practice or a Friday night game, she wants the cheer squad to feel like a family.
That sense of support starts at home. Haggard said her biggest inspiration is her mom, whose example shapes the way she approaches cheer and life. “I choose my mom because she inspires me every single day,” Haggard said. “She is the strongest person I know and always puts others before herself. No matter what she’s going through, she still shows up for me and supports me in everything I do, especially cheer.” Watching her mom’s resilience and unconditional love, Haggard said, motivates her “to push myself to be better, not just as an athlete, but as a person.”
Cheer season for Kellyville’s athletes starts well before the first bell of the school year. Head coach Jymmi Hampton must juggle several multi-sport athletes, which makes scheduling a challenge. Haggard said the group typically practices two to three times a week during the summer, and once they receive their choreography, Hampton “does her best to get us on the mat at least three times a week.”
In the classroom, Haggard lists math as her favorite subject and names Coach Neighbors, her physical education teacher, as a favorite teacher. Away from school and cheer, she enjoys spending her free time with family and friends.
Haggard said athletics have taught her valuable lessons she knows will matter long after high school. “Athletics has taught me not to be discouraged whenever you’re not good at something, and everyone has to start somewhere,” she said. She also credits former teammate Mia Wiedower with leaving a lasting impression on her as she continues to grow as a cheerleader and a leader for Kellyville.
