It’s Friday night football for Rocky Mountain High School. You’re in the stands, watching the game. Cheers from the student section are surrounding you, Rocky just scored a touchdown, and the cheerleaders are cheering and bringing the school spirit high. Have you ever considered Friday night lights from the cheerleader’s point of view? Specifically, the cheer captain as she leads the cheerleaders with courage and positivity. This is the job of Senior Ashley Able, the varsity cheer captain here at Rocky. She has many roles and responsibilities as cheer captain, but she enjoys every minute of it.

For Ashley, being the cheer captain means more than just being a leader. “Being a senior captain means being a good example that everyone can look up to.” said Ashley. She values showing the girls consistency and courage as they cheer throughout the season. Her years of experience have led her to lead the team with confidence.

Ashley joined the team in her freshman year and is now in her 4^th year cheering here at Rocky. Joining her freshman year, she has been able to gain valuable friendships from the girls she has been cheering with since day 1. Together, they have battled it out through competitions and nationals, which helped bring them united as one. Ashley touches on the importance of her friendships through cheer, “Having all my friendships and coming a long way in my cheer years is so rewarding.” Throughout the years, she has always had sharp technique that is showed on Friday nights. Her spirits are always high, and she has always let her school spirit shine.

Balancing practices, football games, and school is not an easy task. Practices for the team are 3 times a week and start at 7:00 or 7:30. This schedule is almost every day of the school week for these cheerleaders and Ashley takes on even more responsibility as captain. With senior year, she tries to get all her schoolwork done at school in her classes and sometimes before she goes out to practice. This way, she can stay on top of all her schoolwork while also prioritizing her role as captain.

Aubrey Lineal, a sophomore in her second year on the team shares how Ashley has helped her improve this season: “Ashley, being an experienced and talented upperclassman, gives me critiques in the most positive way that help me correct and clean my skills.” Aubrey describes her captain as encouraging and supportive throughout all the routines the girls do, making sure everybody is confident in their skills for when they cheer at football games or compete. Ashley is a real friend for everyone on the team and Aubrey points out her favorite memory with her is just standing next to her at the beginning of pom 3.

For Ashley, many memories over her 4 years of cheer have made it an unforgettable experience. During football season, Ashley goes home to get ready right after school. After, she arrives at the tailgate, and then the team warms up before the game. Later in the year, comes the exciting competition season. Ashley regards on her favorite memory from competing, “Definitely nationals sophomore year. I love traveling with my team and national competitions are so much fun and so different from competitions in state.” Competing out of state is a very exciting experience for the team. It’s part of their biggest goal for the season, which is to win at comps and place at state. At the end of nationals, they celebrate by going to Disneyland, making so many amazing memories.

A main theme mentioned by Ashleys teammates is her cheerful outlook. Freshman Alexa Baird said: “She always brings a good smile.” It is Alexa’s first year on the team and already, she is positively influenced by Ashley’s uplifting energy she brings to the team. “This year, Ashley has helped me by giving me tips for back spotting.” Alexa commented. A lot of different components and drills go into making a successful cheer squad and Ashley makes sure to keep all the girls in check in what they’re performing.

All in all, Ashley is so grateful to be a leader in her final year of cheer. She’s focused on making every routine count and making the most of the season. She says, “I am so grateful to have come such a long way in my cheer years and to be a captain even though I thought I was incapable.” Her confidence and persistence from day one has led her to be an inspiring leader that will lead her cheer family to success.