Madison Contreras and Bralyn Stallons

Writers

Cheerfully spreading spirit through her community, Marlow High School Cheer Captain Kearsten Ball has shown leadership qualities on the squad.

Noting how Ball benefits the team, Cheer Coach Amy Herchock described how she has shown leadership skills.

“Kearsten was very shy and quiet when she first joined cheer. However, she had always been a very good cheerleader and is one on the sidelines that always has a smile on her face and is always positive,” said Herchock. “Over the past several years, she has outgrown that shyness and has become more extroverted.”

Having known Ball throughout all of high school, senior Chloe Brooks expressed how Ball has grown through her time in cheer.

“I have seen Kearsten grow through cheer by it opening up her commutative skills and her ability to work for anything she desires to accomplish. I’ve seen her break her shell and step up as a leader in every aspect by leading underclassmen on our squad,” Brooks said. “Through being on the squad, I’ve seen her be more involved in other things and work hard for things she wants in her life.”

Explaining how she has developed over the years, Ball stated what changes she has seen within herself.

“I feel like cheer has really changed me. It has gotten me to be more social and made me become more outgoing,” said Ball. “If it weren’t for cheer, I don’t think I would be who I am today. It has given me so many new friendships and skills.”

Through Ball’s years of growth on the squad, many have seen her develop leadership skills that can be used in the future.

Having described her as a quick learner, senior Valhana Woods feels that Ball can accomplish any goal she sets her mind to.

“I don’t think that Kearsten has any boundaries. I think that she’s an overcomer in a lot of ways,” Woods said. “I think her future is limitless and she can go wherever she wants to go.”

Using the skills she’s developed over the years, Ball plans to attend the University of Oklahoma with a major in journalism.