Alyssa Connell

Alyssa Connell – Illinois
Nomination by Nicole Connell
Photography by @Kimlewis_photography
Issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine
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​Nomination: Alyssa Connell a humble, sweet intelligent, athletic young woman. Back to back IHSA state champion in cheerleading. 2019 summit/world’s champion. 3 years at the podium for IHSA state championship. Alyssa wants to work in the medical field to help and inspire all individuals. A hardworking young woman set out to do amazing things for the world while wearing her heart on her sleeve.

Photography by @Kimlewis_photography

​Q: Tell us about your cheer career. When did you get started and where are you at with it now?
A: My love for cheer started when I was about 4 years old. I did sideline cheer and I loved to flip around and be thrown up in the air. Years later, my mom decided to put me in competitive cheerleading to improve my skills and learn proper technique. My journey with competitive cheer lasted until I was about 14 years old and within those years I've won multiple titles including a Summit Championship in Disney World with GymTyme Illinois. I soon went off to Lockport Township High School and decided to open a new chapter and try out for my high school cheer team, Lockport Porters. At first, I thought I wouldn’t like it because of the differences between high school cheer and All-Star Competitive cheer. However, my love for it never changed. My experience of being with Lockport Varsity Cheer has been fulfilling thus far. My first two years, we won 2 State Championships and then placed 3rd in the state last season. I am so excited to see what's in store during this last season of my high school cheer career with very high standards and goals for the IHSA state championship in 2024.

Q: What do you love most about cheer?
A:What I love most about cheer would be the bonds created with my teammates. When you see a group of people every single day for two hours, they eventually feel like family to you and they become a part of you. It feels like you’ve known them forever. I have created unbreakable bonds with people on my cheer team not only throughout the past 4 years, but throughout my entire cheer career and those are people I will never forget. Another reason as to why I love cheer is its ability to make me a stronger person mentally, physically and emotionally. I have been taught to control my emotions, walk with my head high, and never let myself get intimated. Cheerleading has taught me skills that I will carry out into the real world.

Q: What is your cheer team like, and what is a favorite memory with them?
A:My cheer team is full of personalities. We are all best friends and have one common goal. That is to be at our best when our best is needed. We make jokes and laugh a little too much at practice, we make inside jokes not everyone would understand, and we all love our coaches and wouldn’t trade them for the world. My favorite memory would have to be the State Championship of 2022. This was my first time competing at State, in person. This is the year we won our back to back championship title. Our energy was euphoric and we all bonded a little extra that weekend. Winning state that year will forever be my favorite memory and that will be a group of people I will never forget.

Q: What was it like winning back to back championships? How were they different, and how were they the same?
A:Not many people in the world can say they have won a state championship, let alone 2 back to back state championships. I am very grateful for being a part of such a humble team and being able to share these kind of experiences with them. No words can describe how surreal it sounded when we heard our school, “Lockport Porters” , called out as the IHSA State Champions. Receiving a medal and walking across the podium is every high school cheerleader's dream and I will cherish those moments for the rest of my life. The only difference between the first championship and the second championship, I would have to say, was the setting where everything took place. Our 2021 championship, my freshman year, was held virtually due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. However the dedication, excitement and the emotions all felt the same. Although, experiencing the competition live and hearing our names being called in real life is way more exciting.

Photography by @Kimlewis_photography

​Q: What do you wish other people knew about cheer/cheerleaders?
A: I wish other people knew that being a cheerleader takes just as much work ethic and determination as any other sport does whether it is competitive cheer or high school cheer. Cheerleaders are perfectionists and our minds revolve around whether or not our stunts hit perfectly or if our fingers are together while we’re moving to different formations. It takes a different type of mentality to being a cheerleader and not many people realize that unless they experience this sport first hand.

Q: What is scheduling like to prepare to be victorious at so many opportunities?
A: Scheduling revolves around school and practice only. We train and practice 5 days a week and also take extra classes to improve our skills on a daily basis. It takes a lot of dedication to push through the vigorous practices of which is to help maintain and advance our skills. We also have fun cheering for the football and basketball games of course, but during competition season, my entire team is dedicated to the work and progression of our program.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your senior year?
A: During my senior year, I am looking forward to attending Prom. I love putting on fancy dresses, doing makeup, and getting my hair done. I am also looking forward to filling out college applications so I can really figure out what I want to pursue in the future!

Q: What tradition at your high school is your favorite and why?
A: My favorite tradition at Lockport Township High School is what we call TP Night. Every year during homecoming week we go to the varsity football players houses and cover their homes with toilet paper. The following night, which is called redemption night, the football players do the same to the senior cheerleader’s homes. My house was completely covered this year. This has been a tradition for the varsity cheer and football team for years and is probably one of the best memories, and most fun. It is the highlight of the year and will be a Lockport discussion for the years to come..

Photography by @Kimlewis_photography

Q: What inspired you to work in the medical field?
A: Most of my family members are a part of the medical field. They all want to help people and save lives whenever they can. This inspired me to want to help people as well and make a difference in the world. Doctors and nurses are always needed and I want to be able to provide healthcare in any aspect of someone's life.

Q: What are you doing now to prepare for it?
A: I am currently taking an Intro to Health Professions class at Joliet Junior College’s Wilco center prior to graduating in 2024 to further my education about the medical field. This course is currently teaching me about other health professions so I am able to explore different career paths and opportunities within the healthcare field. This course will help me decide, plan and pursue my future education and career path in the near future.

Q: If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?
A: In my spare time, you can either find me in the gym working on my tumbling skills, or watching movies. I have a love for movie nights with my family or friends.

Q: What is up next for you that you are super excited about?
A: I am super excited to start touring colleges and seeing a new world of opportunities out there for me. I have a calling and I am slowly working towards that fulfillment in life.

Q: How did you find your senior photographer, @Kimlewis_photography? What was your experience like? What did you love most about it?
A: My mom found Kim Lewis photography through friends at my high school. Kim was very upbeat and funny throughout the whole process. She made it very easy to pose and made me feel very comfortable.

Photography by @Kimlewis_photography

Q:What inspiring things about you does your nomination not cover?
A: First and foremost, my mother has been the most inspirational person in my life. As a single mother, she has done whatever it has taken to get me to where I am today and I am more than grateful and appreciative for her. I started tumbling and cheering as a toddler and she has sacrificed so much for me. She has made me the young woman I am today. Her passion, love and drive are instilled in me and will forever help me towards my growth as a person and a one day health provider within the medical field.

Q:What else would you like to talk about?
A: I’d like to talk about my younger sister, Savanna. I love being an older sister and watching Savanna follow in a lot of the same footsteps as me, athletically. She looks up to me and that warms my heart. She is my number one fan and I’m hers. I have the honor to witness her dedication to school work, clubs, and sports such as basketball, volleyball and soccer. At such a young age of 10, I see so much potential in her and I am beyond proud of her, I love her.

Q: What do you feel passionate about or could talk about forever?
A: I am very passionate about cheerleading. My week is filled with school work, cheer and my family. I have a very supportive family of whom I am grateful for. I’m also passionate about traveling, I love seeing new things and going on adventures to new places.
 
Look for Alyssa in issue 73 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 73

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