Kiara Burdge: A cheer force of nature. (John Fisken photos)
Burdge has a big megaphone and she’s not afraid to use it.
Kiara Burdge exudes cheer.
The Coupeville High School junior, who celebrates a birthday today, is among the most outgoing, full-of-life athletes to be walking (or skipping) across the campus.
Much like older sister Kylie, she is an absolute force of nature when at the forefront of the Wolf cheer squad.
Some people mouth the words and do the moves, while others believe in cheer deep down in their souls, and Kiara has always seemed like the second sort.
Her kicks are just a little crisper, her yells a little louder, her faith in the classmates she supports just a bit deeper than the average cheerleader.
There never seems to be a moment when she is anything other than sincere and committed to the cause.
Miss Burdge lights up the sidelines with her presence and it carries over into the real world, as well.
Aaron and Trina Burdge have four children who greet each new day as an adventure, and, from what I have seen, take great delight in being part of a fun-loving pack.
With Kylie off in college these days, bringing her spark and love of life to the Brigham Young University campus, Kiara has taken the helm of the younger Burdges and proven to be a worthy leader in her own right.
As fans, we only see a slice of the Wolf athletes lives, but it still allows us to get a pretty good feel for what kind of people they are.
With Kiara, as valuable to the CHS cheer squad as she is — if she’s not named a captain next year, my jaw will never reattach itself after falling off my face — she’s ten times the person.
Smart, deeply caring to her friends and siblings, committed to her Mormon faith, Burdge is a shining star in our community.
She is one of our best and brightest, and, as she celebrates her cake day today, I hope Kiara knows how highly everyone thinks of her.
Happy birthday, Miss Burdge. May your star keep twinkling for a very long time, getting brighter with each new year.
