Seniors, Cheer Your Heart Out & Don’t Look Back

…get involved and do everything you can because you’re never going to get those years back.

Your senior year as a cheerleader is tough… You feel like you’ve finally made it. You’re comfortable, confident and acclimated to your environment like you’ve been there for years (four to be exact), and then it’s all over. 

Just like that — you’ve got to turn in your uniform and walk across the graduation stage. And there’s no looking back.

But that day is a ways away for the Bastrop senior cheerleaders. But as they finish their final days on the sidelines and courtside, we tip our hats to their enthusiasm and dedication to school spirit. These ladies have a bright future ahead of them. Here are their final thoughts on their cheer careers and advice to the underclassmen. 

Good luck to the Bastrop high school senior cheerleaders!

Marlayna Chalmers 

Years cheering: 6

Plans for college or future: 
My plans for college and future are to finish up basics at Texas State University, then go to nursing school at Texas State of Round Rock to earn my bachelor’s and then my masters in nursing to become a nurse practitioner.

Advice to her teammates before they reach their senior year: 
My advice is not to rush anything.  Everything you do your senior year in high school will be your last time, so enjoy every second if of it. These are the years we will look back on for the rest of our lives, and that to me is what makes it so special and bittersweet.

Melody Deviney   

Years cheering: 6

Plans for college or future:
I plan to attend Texas State to major in something related to art.

What was the most important thing you learned from cheerleading?
I learned that friendship and working together is important.

Sterling Ellison    

Years cheering: 6

Plans for college or future:
I plan to attend Blinn Junior College and then transfer to Texas A&M.

Advice to her teammates before they reach their senior year:
My advice would be to listed to your peers and elders. If you need practice time, then work extra outside of school.

Bryce Ellsworth    

Years cheering: 6

Plans for college or future:
I plan on attending the University of Texas in the fall, majoring in business and later attending dental school.

Advice to her teammates before they reach their senior year:
My advice is to make sure your grades always come first. Also show respect and be kind to everyone, on and off the cheer squad.

Katy McPherson   

Years cheering: 5 

Plans for college or future:
I plan on attending the University of North Texas and majoring in architecture and minoring in interior design.

What was the most important thing you learned from cheerleading?
Always be positive about things and be a good role model.

Celeste Nevares  

Years cheering: 6

Plans for college or future:
I plan on either going to TCU or Texas A&M and majoring in business and minoring in economics or political science. I want to become a CEO or president of a company or big corporation.

What was the most important thing you learned from cheerleading?
I learned the importance of team work and how to get past challenges in order to achieve the end goal.

Jessica Newark  

Years cheering: 6

Plans for college or future: 
I plan to go to the University of Texas at Austin and study music therapy.

Advice to her teammates before they reach their senior year:
My advice is to get involved and do everything you can, because you’re never going to get those years back.

Peyton Seekatz

Years cheering: 1

Plans for college or future:
I plan to study kinesiology and pre-physical therapy. 

Advice to her teammates before they reach their senior year:
My advice would be to do your school work and always have fun!

DaSheanna Shaw

Years cheering: 6

Plans for college or future:
I want to attend the University of Texas in Austin and study biochemistry, then go on to medical school and become a plastic surgeon. 

What was the most important thing you learned from cheerleading?
I’ve learned how to lead others in a positive way and how to work together.