Madison Aylesworth (Photo courtesy Aylesworth)
Animals have a dedicated friend in Madison Aylesworth.
The Coupeville High School sophomore is currently focused on cheer, having joined the Wolf squad this year, but she always has time for her first love.
“I am an activist for animal rights. I love animals, all of them,” Aylesworth said. “Especially killer whales.”
A fan of comedy movies and art class, she may be new to the CHS cheer squad, but this is not her first time in the sport.
Aylesworth did junior cheer for two years while attending Coupeville Elementary, then put in another year at the middle school level while living in Arizona.
That experience inspired her to return to her roots this year.
“I always looked up to the older cheerleaders because they were so inspiring and encouraging. They definitely made an impact on me,” she said. “I started doing cheer this year because I really do enjoy dancing. And I wanted to support my school and show school spirit.
“The reason I enjoy cheer is because I feel like I’m a part of a team,” Aylesworth added. “Being on the team creates close bonds with my cheer sisters.”
She and her “sisters” often face an uphill battle convincing others to accept cheer as a sport, and, currently, the CHS administration chooses to regard it as an activity.
That doesn’t stop her, however.
“I consider cheer a sport because it’s not just all smiles,” Aylesworth said. “We put a lot of work into our cheers/routines. Plus it’s not just dancing we do, we have to workout and stay in shape.
“A lot of people may not consider us a sport because we just follow the football/basketball players, but they don’t see all the work we do at practice and all the hard work that goes into being a cheerleader.”
In the end, the people that really matter know it’s a sport, and their support is huge in Aylesworth’s life.
“First, I would like to thank my very supportive mother, for always being there for me,” she said. “Second, I would like to thank both my coaches and cheer captains for being great leaders and always willing to help me.
“And last, but not least, I would like to thank my cheer sisters for always making me laugh and showing what it’s like to be a team.”
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