Mackenna Ghrist '22 Recruiting Profile

Hello my names Mackenna! In addition to my highschool cheer, I was involved in club cheer for about 7 years.  When I was 14 I competed on a level 6 coed open team as a flyer.  I really enjoy being a base and currently in addition to being on our high school varsity team, I am also on our stunt team.  Cheerleading has been a major part of my life.  I really enjoy tumbling and challenging myself to always better my personal best.  Being in club cheer took me all over the United States for competition.  I competed at the ESPN center at Summit a number of times and really loved it.  Being in cheer has taught me what it is like to be a true team player.  I have performed all positions at one time or another and stepped in to fill spots on other teams numerous times.  I have had opportunity to lead other girls and set an example of how to show up for my team with positivity, encouragement and a "can-do" attitude.  I had to be just about duing not to perfom and even then you could find me on the sidelines cheering on my team.  Being a cheerleader with such big committment, has also taught me how to manage my time so that I could perform well in my academic studies, have time to work a part time job, and to spend time with all my siblings.  I love cheer.  I am very passionate about it and really want to bring my drive, enthusiasm, and positive spirit to my college team.  It is my goal to achieve a doctoral degree in psychology so that I can use my training to focus on diversity to assist those persons who feel marginalized realize their dreams.  I am a proud Latina, born in Guatemala and adopted by a whiite family.  I understand how it feels to be different and the challenges involved with pushing forward in an effort to realize a dream.  This essay is a part of that for me.