Hunter Hawkins is a senior at Walnut Grove High School who has been a part of the Walnut Grove Cheer team since her sophomore year. She is also a leader around the school and involved in many clubs. Hunter balances a high school cheer team, a competitive cheer team, and variety of clubs.

1. What’s it like being a Walnut Grove cheerleader?

Hawkins: It’s really honestly a fun experience, and I feel like we have so much talent and stuff that makes it really fun to compete and just be with all my friends at the same time.

2. What’s your favorite part about Walnut Grove cheer?

Hawkins: Honestly how much talent we have and how much potential that, like, we have for each of our routines so it makes it competitive.

3. If you could give advice to someone trying out for Walnut Grove cheer, what advice would you give them?

Hawkins: I would just say, honestly, have fun with it. Like, cheers a hobby that you chose so have fun with what you do.

4. Who or what motivates you to be better? 

Hawkins: Specifically my coach, Ryan Long, he really motivates me because he has my best interest at heart.

5. What’s your favorite memory from Walnut Grove cheer?

Hawkins: I would probably say winning grand at NCA our 1st year because I feel like that really just set the standard for years to come.

6. Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities or clubs at school?

Hawkins: I am. I’m in Cheerabilities, Pals, the Historian of Student Council, and was the class president the past 3 years.

7. What’s one thing you love about Student Council?

Hawkins: Probably just that we make, like, the student body’s ideas come to life with different dress up days and theme ideas.

8. Does it ever get hard balancing extracurricular activities and how do you manage it?

Hawkins: It definitely does get hard balancing all my extracurricular activities because I have to find a time and a place to do each one of them. So I really just like to take a step back and relax because it’s not that deep.

9. What’s your favorite thing about being a senior?

Hawkins: My favorite part about being a senior is that I’m super close to being done, and I get to move on to a new chapter in my life that has so much more to offer.

10. What are your plans after high school?

Hawkins: My plans after high school are to attend the University of Alabama and major in nursing.

11. How do you want to be remembered?

Hawkins: I want to be remembered as someone who is always positive and someone who is just a light to everyone they meet.