Kimmy Young’s entrance into cheer is unique and reflects both resilience and determination. “I didn’t start cheer until my junior year of high school,” Kimmy said. After participating in dance and enjoying it, she decided to try out for the cheer team. “I knew cheer was similar, so I tried out for the team, and the second time, I made it!” This perseverance marked the beginning of her cheer career at McAlester High School, and since then, she’s been an integral part of the team.
Her inspiration for cheerleading comes from a blend of her dance background and her admiration for former teammate Brynlee Ham. “She was a great leader and showed me how to encourage others,” Kimmy said, showing how deeply the sense of camaraderie and leadership has influenced her journey. Now a senior, she embraces her role as a social leader on the team. “I am supposed to organize events such as birthdays, holidays and more,” she explained, helping to create bonds and memories that go beyond practices and performances.
Team chemistry has been a bit different this year due to the larger size of the squad. “It can make it harder to bond with everyone, but at the end of the day, we all have lots of love for each other and care deeply,” Kimmy said. That sense of love and support is a driving force behind their performances.
Her goals for the season are clear. “I want to look great on the sidelines and do good at performance regionals!” Kimmy is determined to leave her mark in her final year, but the journey hasn’t been without challenges. One of the toughest moments in her career was when she broke her finger while learning a back handspring: “It set me back a few months from achieving that skill, but I’ve overcome it by having a spotter help me.”
Outside of cheer, Kimmy has developed a passion for doing nails, something she started to save money. “I fell in love with doing new designs and fun colors!”
After high school, Kimmy plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study veterinary medicine. While she won’t continue cheering in college, she will carry the lessons, friendships and memories from McAlester cheerleading with her as she steps into the next chapter of her life.
