Paisley Nelson’s parents always tried to get her to try new things.

“But, I’ve always said that I’m a cheerleader! So, my parents quit trying, and they put me in all-star cheer and I did that for most of my life,” the Weatherford High School cheerleader said. “Every weekend, I was in a different state at a different competition.”

Nelson has now been cheering for 14 years and doesn’t play any other sports, but it keeps her plenty busy; she has traveled from Florida to “all over Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas” for cheer competitions. She was hooked on cheer even before she put on a uniform.

“When I was little, I watched a show called ‘Cheer Squad on Netflix, and it was based on a Canadian cheer team, the Great Whites,” Nelson said. “I knew I wanted to be like them. I loved how they put in hard work and never gave up. I knew I wanted to be an inspiration to someone one day, like they were for me.”

Nelson aspires to motivate others.

“Leadership can establish a good culture for the team.”

“I’m always smiling and being positive and encouraging to people, no matter what,” Nelson said. “I’ve had injuries I’ve had to work through. Some of the biggest challenges are everyone’s personalities coming together.”

Nelson takes school pride seriously.

“Since I’m on the cheer team, I help plan pep rallies and plan games we play during half time during homecoming or senior night,” Nelson said.

She’s also in student council. Leadership is important to her, “because the right leadership changes everything.”

For now, she’s serving in the halls of Weatherford High School, but Nelson has big plans after high school too.

“I would like to go to SWOSU and earn my business degree and start a career in real estate,” Nelson said.