Hello my name is Payton Hutson. I have been on my school’s cheer and stunt team for the past two years, and I will be continuing to cheer and stunt at the college level in the fall. Cheer has completely changed my life, and I am forever grateful. Before I was in cheer and stunt I doubted myself and my goals almost always, which resulted in me having a lot of anxiety around the time of tryouts and almost not trying out for cheer at all. If I would have not tried out, my high school (and soon to be college) experience would have been much different. I ended up making varsity on both the school’s cheer and stunt team with little to no experience. Thank you to my coaches for believing in me and seeing something in me (even if I didn’t see it at myself in the beginning). Cheerleading gave me the ability to believe in myself, and the confidence to try to continue into the college level (even if I thought I would be “behind” since I haven’t cheered as long as the others). I have continued to strive to get better everyday for both myself and my team. I am an extremely hard worker, and when I set my mind on something and push away my doubts I don’t give up. I have created such amazing friendships through these sports. Cheer and stunt has given me some of my best friends and future bridesmaids. I have shared so many laughs and jokes with my team, and I wish everyone can experience a team that’s like family. One of my favorite things to do during stunt season is to cheer on my friends on the sideline. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being on the mat and stunting with my group, but there is just something about standing on the sidelines cheering on your friends and hoping that your team receives the next point. I have had an amazing two years with my cheer and stunt family in high school, and I cannot wait to see where this sport will take me in the future!