Stroud High School senior Sally Campbell has built her final year around leadership, service and the connections she has formed with teammates, friends and family.
A member of the cheer team, Campbell sees her position as more than performing on the sidelines. As one of the team’s seniors, she helps guide younger athletes while working alongside the other upperclassmen.
“My job on the cheer team is to help lead the other girls along with the other seniors. It’s a group job and I love that. I love that they can look to us for help and advice on things.”
That supportive environment is one of Campbell’s favorite parts of cheer. She values being surrounded by teammates who bring energy to practices and can lift one another up when a difficult day arises.
“I enjoy being part of a group of girls that makes things fun and supports each other. If things are off or aren’t going great, we can count on Kadrian or Serenity to make us laugh.”
The team begins preparing before the school year starts, using summer sessions to get ready for camp before increasing practice time for its game-day competition routine.
“We practice a few times over the summer to prepare for camp, and then more often as we learn our routine for game day competition.”
Campbell said athletics has helped her develop confidence and perspective, lessons that extend beyond competition.
“Athletics has taught me a number of things that I’m grateful for. It’s taught me not to underestimate what I’m capable of, that I can do things I thought I couldn’t. It’s also taught me to just let certain things roll off my back. Life isn’t perfect and you can’t control everything, so don’t let it be the end of the world.”
She also credits former teammate Laci O’Donnell for leaving a lasting mark during her early years of high school.
“The teammate that left the biggest impression on me by far is my former teammate Laci O’Donnell. Laci is literally a ball of sunshine. She is smart, beautiful, and so well put together. I am so thankful I had her to look up to my freshman and sophomore year.”
Outside cheer, Campbell stays busy with softball, basketball, student council, National Honor Society, Junior Chamber of Commerce and the student bank board. She maintains a 4.0 grade-point average and works at Five Star Barbecue.
Her favorite class is English, where she enjoys learning from Mrs. McDoulett. In her spare time, Campbell enjoys reading, shopping and spending time with friends Cami and Kyleigh. She said the people closest to her are what make her hometown special.
“My favorite thing in my hometown is my two best friends, Cami and Kyleigh. I say them because anywhere we go together and anything we do together is my favorite.”
Campbell also finds inspiration at home through her older brother, Jackson.
“I would say that my older brother Jackson inspires me. I’ve never known life without him and I’m grateful for that. He works hard in everything he does and has the biggest heart doing it and it honestly does inspire me. He’s never been afraid to call me out whether I liked it or not but he’s still my biggest supporter always.”
