Victoria Heppner is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigend to cover Shadow Ridge High School for AZPreps365.com

For junior cheerleader Whitney Smalley, life on a cheer squad always has been a family affair and it did not stop when she joined Shadow Ridge’s squad her freshman year.

Smalley and sister Kaylee grew up playing sports together in their city’s soccer and cheer leagues but saw it come to an end as they grew older --  or so they thought.

Smalley, following in her older sister’s footsteps, decided to join both the cheer and soccer teams her freshman year, like Kaylee had done.

Smalley during a cheer competition (photo courtesy of Whintey Smalley).

Smalley tried out for the squad and ended up making varsity, giving her the opportunity to cheer alongside her sister again.

The two naturally grew apart as they formed their own lives but being on the same team allowed them to strengthen their relationship after going years without being on a team together.

“When she joined varsity cheer,” Kaylee said, “we mended a bond that we had when we were little and now she’s my best friend.”

The sisters competed together for one year at Shadow Ridge before Kaylee graduated in 2019 but the time they had with each other “was very special.”

The two, along with their teammates, competed in nationals competition in Smalley’s freshman year and won second place.

Before the two went separate ways, they shared a sweet moment after the competition.

“I just remember her coming out of that gate and running to hug me,” Kaylee said after the competition. “I was crying and she was crying and it was this really emotional moment because we worked so hard for that.”

Although they may not compete together anymore, Smalley still looks up to Kaylee and admitted that she is still her biggest inspiration.

Along with being on the cheer and soccer team, Smalley also joined an all-star cheer team after trying out and making the elite squad.

Balancing her sports and school work was hard at first, but Kaylee helped Smalley ensure there was enough time dedicated to all of her responsibilities.

“When I started, it was really hard and I struggled a little bit,” Smalley said. “But as the year went on, my sister helped me to get a schedule going to keep the balance.”

Kaylee had nothing but praise for Smalley when talking about how dedicated she is to each team despite the challenges it brings.

“With her being a multi-sport athlete, being loyal to both of those teams is really hard,” Kaylee said. “It is very admirable to see her work so hard for two very different sports”

The loyalty she has to each team goes beyond just showing up to practice and games or competitions because this year Smalley was named captain of the varsity cheer squad.

Daye Smalley, her mother and cheer coach, emphasized the responsibility Smalley has as captain but says that she leads and dedicates so much to the team despite all her obligations.

Whintey and Daye Smalley pose with a trophy after a competition (photo courtesy of Whitney Smalley). 

“She is a natural leader,” Daye said. “She ends and starts practices and is there for her team to help them whenever they need it.”

Daye said she is so focused on improving her own skills but also being there to help her teammates. Daye knew she was the right choice for captain because of the leadership skills she has, the support she shows and the dedication she has to her sport.

“She is whole-hearted,” Daye said. “Everything she does she puts 1000 percent into it and she puts all she has into it.”

Smalley credits her sister for the success she has had because she watched her sister do the same thing through high school.

Smalley saw the way her sister adapted to being a multi-sport athlete and wanted to follow in her sister’s footsteps to become as successful and dedicated as her.

“She has inspired me to be more hard-working in those sports,” Smalley said, “because she did it as well and I wanted to be just like her.”

Smalley plans to bring her passion for cheer into her college life and already has received an offer from the University of Southern Florida after being approached by a coach at a cheer camp.

Although Smalley is committed to cheering in college, she is keeping her options open.

Smalley has been guided and supported by her own family cheer squad, consisting of her mom and sister, through high school and her dedication will continue to drive her as she pursues her passion in college.