Strength. Leadership. Positivity. For Elk City High School senior Addison Jones, those three traits define her journey as both a student-athlete and a person. After facing a tough summer surgery, Jones entered her final year with one mission in mind. “My personal goals for this year are to get back my strength after having surgery over the summer,” she said.
This season’s Elk City cheer squad may be smaller in size, but their energy and closeness make them stand out. “The team’s morale this year has been at an all-time high,” Jones said. “We have a smaller team this cheer season, so we are all very close.” That tight-knit bond has fueled their growth and performance. “The biggest improvement I have seen on the team so far is definitely the unity of our team,” she added.
Jones plays a vital role as a back spot, ensuring every stunt stays solid and safe. But her leadership extends beyond the mat. “What I look for when learning a challenging new cheer is trying to see who is not getting it as well and figuring out how I am able to help them get it,” she said. “Whether it’s going over it step by step or just going over it until they understand it.”
The team’s dedication goes far beyond what most fans see on game nights. “Something that fans may not know about our team is that we put in so much work on weekends and after school to get ready for everything we do,” Jones said. That effort is paying off as Elk City sets its sights on a major goal. “Some of our team’s goals this year are to make it to state for game day,” Jones said. “I am working to achieve this goal by practicing pinching my words and making sure my motions are super sharp.”
When the moment comes to perform, Jones steps onto the mat with complete focus. “My mindset when stepping onto the mat is we are going to hit zero,” she said.
Off the mat, Jones’ life is just as full — she’s involved in cheer, powerlifting, band, theater, FCA, student council, and her church’s worship team. After graduation, she plans to channel her heart for helping others into a career as a paramedic.
Through every challenge and victory, Jones hopes to leave one lasting impression: “I want my legacy when I graduate to be that I was very uplifting and fun to be around.”
