Only an elite few students break records while in high school. Northview senior Kylee Gessner is now one of them. Gessner is a senior on the competitive cheer team and recently she made history.
Gessner started cheerleading in 7th grade when she decided to try out due to an injury that prevented her from playing volleyball anymore. She’s cheered ever since.
Gessner’s favorite thing about her sport is the energy.
“[I love] making everyone excited, it’s a very cheerful sport, it’s very happy,” she said.
Gessner says that her most memorable moment in cheer was when the team broke their school record twice this season.
That wasn’t the only time the cheerleaders have made history at Northview this year. Recently, the girls attended the annual LMCCOA (Lake Michigan Competitive Cheer Officials Association) cheer meet. LMCCOA is a large cheer meet that hands out a scholarship to any senior who applies and meets their standards. Gessner had the honor of being picked, making her the first Northview cheerleader ever to receive the scholarship.
“I’m very honored, it is amazing. I’m very grateful as well for everyone that has helped me,” Gessner said.
She intends to put the money she received towards her college tuition and hopes to go to either Michigan State University or Central Michigan.
As well as being on the cheer team, Gessner is involved in National Honor Society and track & field. When she isn’t cheering, Gessner spends a lot of her time studying.
“I have a lot going on with family, as well as driving, dealing with my high GPA and school,” Gessner said.
Great athletes always strive to improve and challenge themselves to be better. Gessner finds her motivation in other great athletes.
“I would say Olympians [motivate me] just because they are put under a lot of pressure and they still make it look very graceful,” Gessner said.
Gessner believes that she has definitely progressed as an athlete and as a person since she has started cheering.
“I’ve grown mentally as well as physically, I’ve persevered through a lot and I’ve grown as a person and even just as a teammate,” Gessner said.
Since this is her last year cheering for Northview, Gessner is feeling sad about leaving but also reflecting on her time here.
“It’s bittersweet. I think I’ve had a lot of memories that are good and bad, but overall I think it’s been an amazing experience that I will cherish forever.”
