There are people in all of our lives that help shape us into the people we are and will become. Whether they are part of our everyday lives or someone we observe from a distance, the role they play in our lives can be huge. Addison Herring has a couple of people like that in her life.

“My biggest role model would be my sister, Emma,” she said. “She was one of my first cheer coaches and taught me how to be a Comet cheerleader. Also, my mom is the special ed teacher at Velma and has been my cheer coach since I was in the sixth grade. She has taught me leadership skills and has shared her love of teaching her students and her love of supporting Comet sports.”

Addison is a senior at Velma-Alma High School, where she is co-captain of the cheer team. She is also a member of Beta, the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, HOSA Future Health Professionals, and the Student Council.

To be successful as a cheerleader and as a student in the classroom, Herring knows that she has had to have a plan.

“I have to stay organized and learn what to prioritize and complete first,” she said. “Prioritizing and balancing my time with school, clubs and cheer is what has helped me be successful.”

Keeping up with other cheerleading groups is something that Addison enjoys to do on social media.
“I love following all the UCA cheerleaders and cheerleaders from other teams that I’ve met at camp,” she said. “It gives me a way to stay in touch and see what their cheer teams are doing.”

Being able to wear the Velma-Alma uniform is something that Herring is proud to have been able to do.

“Cheering for the Comets for the past ten years has been one of the most important experiences of my life,” she said. “I have loved every minute of not only representing my school and community but also growing closer with my team. I will miss cheering for the Comets but more than that I will miss the friendships I’ve made along the way.”