Coupeville Sports

Kiara Mercedes

All cheerleaders are energetic and full of life.

If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be cheerleaders. It would be too painful.

But, every so often, one will emerge who shines a little (OK, a lot) brighter, who gets her yells to reach a little further, who seems to glow with cheer spirit at all times.

Such a young woman is Coupeville High School sophomore Kiara Mercedes, who celebrates a birthday today.

Younger sister of Wolf cheer captain Kylie Marie (also pretty dang outgoing herself), Kiara has been a vital part of the CHS cheer squad since day one.

As a freshman, she became the first 9th grader ever to be voted the Wolf Award by her teammates.

To top that for her second year on the sidelines, she got louder ‘n prouder (if that’s possible) and was pretty much a human sparkle machine during football games.

Kiara, like her sis, embraces being part of the cheer squad with fervor and there never seems to be a moment when she’s not enjoying herself out there.

And, if there is that moment, she hides it well. Never let them see you sweat, never let them know when you’re hurting.

But it goes beyond cheer.

She radiates a friendliness and warmth that can’t be faked and conducts herself with class and grace everywhere that you see her.

Her parents, Aaron and Trina Burdge, are raising four children who all seem whip-smart, well-adjusted, super-friendly and a lot of other adjectives.

Sincerely proud of their Mormon faith, but not overbearing about it, the family sets a strong example for all those around them.

Like most parents, the Burdges would probably would tell you they love all their children and don’t have a favorite.

So let’s say this.

With much respect to Kylie, who’s as awesome as they come, but is NOT celebrating a birthday today, on THIS day, Kiara gets our vote as the best of the bunch.

If most people are singles or doubles, she’s an out-of-the-park home run.

Happy birthday, Kiara. May your day be worthy of you.