Coupeville Sports

    Caitlyn Connolly maintains a busy schedule that includes cheer, school and traveling to dog shows.

Let’s start off with the obvious. Caitlyn Connolly has impeccable taste in movies and music.

“My favorite movie is called “The Temptations,” about the singing group. I watched that every night and it just stuck with me as my favorite,” Connolly said. “Music is a huge part of my life; music is like a portal to another world, where anything can be changed by the beat.

“My dad showed me all the movies and music I’ve probably ever gotten into and I still have the CD in my room,” she added. “I love them so much! When me and my mom would road trip with our dogs to shows I’d always take that movie to play in the car — I think she got tired of it.”

OK, so the Coupeville High School junior passes the Videoville test, as “The Temptations” was always one of the most-played movies on the in-store TV’s. Good to know.

A veteran Wolf cheerleader, Connolly has a lot more going for her than just good taste in ’60s era music. She’s in National Honor Society, takes part in Big Brothers Big Sisters, is devoted to her horses and dogs and is equally strong both in the classroom and in her cheer uniform.

“I am big into English and history, although I also do well in chemistry,” Connolly said. “I guess I just really like school in general, and I enjoy all my teachers, I don’t think I have a favorite. Maybe Mr. Grenz or Ms. Ballard, both are really great teachers.”

She picked up her love of cheer for two reasons — a desire to follow in the footsteps of her older sisters and a way to connect with other students.

“When I was little, I did kids cheer. All I remember was how much fun I had with it,” Connolly said. “Both of my older sisters were cheerleaders, and so when high school came around, I kind of just told myself to try it and see if I’d like it, and I really did!

“I’m shy and I figured cheer would really help me get out of my shell and maybe fit in a bit more,” she added. “I didn’t need any help really, it was so easy to be invited in!”

After a bad experience in second grade, when a family move transplanted her from Coupeville to Oak Harbor schools, Connolly was thrilled to get back to Central Whidbey. Her positive experience in later years with the Wolf cheer squad was merely icing on the cake.

“The change was dramatic, and I hated the schools,” Connolly said. “I remember kids in math class getting up, swearing at the teachers, throwing things all around the room. It was horrible.

“I tried online schools but my mom didn’t like me being stuck at home without any of my friends, so I was sent back,” she added. “Deciding to go to CHS has been almost like physical therapy. It’s a more tranquil place for me, and it is like I can heal from everything that has ever happened in life. I really appreciate that.”

Being a member of a cheer “family” has been a huge boost for her, as well.

“My all time favorite thing is that everyone is family, and we all help each other out. Nobody gets left behind in our team, someone is always there to help in any way and every way,” Connolly said. “We do have our disagreements, but what family doesn’t? We all still love each other and I wouldn’t have any other group of girls to call my cheer family.”

Her other family, the one she sees at home, has also had a huge impact on shaping her as she goes through her school days.

“My parents have always been big in my life, and so is my Godmother, Marina,” Connolly said. “I know it may seem odd to praise my Godmother more than my parents but I absolutely love her.

“She is a little fiery Italian lady who really is big with family. I love when she visits us and we have coffee. She really helped me with understanding family,” she added. “My mom and dad, well they aren’t like normal parents I guess, but I’m totally OK with that. I love my family to death, and they taught me all the things I know today.”

And what makes all of Connolly’s accomplishments just a bit more impressive is something we haven’t mentioned yet. The thing that makes life more difficult, but doesn’t defeat her or define her.

A diabetic who was diagnosed when she was just four, Connolly has had to endure foot problems (Achilles tendinitis and Plantar fasciitis) and surgeries. That she overcomes this and participates in a sport where she’s on her feet most of the time is a sure sign of a young woman who refuses to let setbacks slow her down.

“I still have to swallow my pride and accept I am different than others, but at the same time I don’t want to be constricted by my differences,” Connolly said. “As long as I can watch myself, I can be normal, or as close to it as I can get!”