Photo cred Diane Dowell
By Blake Chadwick
Grace Heil has been a leader for Ell-Saline High School cheer since she joined the team as a freshman, and now, as a senior, her influence is more evident than ever.
“I am a senior at Ell-Saline High School,” Heil said. “My biggest strength within cheerleading is my ability to lead our team and being able to do whatever is needed. I can tumble and do every position when it comes to stunting: basing, back spotting, and flying. My team’s biggest strength is our stunts and willingness to try new stunts.”
Heil’s cheer journey began after moving to Salina and transitioning from gymnastics.
“I have been a cheerleader for four years. I started in 9th grade after I moved to Salina and quit gymnastics,” she said.
When she’s on the sidelines, her focus is both fun and execution.
“When I am cheerleading I am always trying to impress the crowd and get people to participate,” Heil said. “I am there to have fun but to also complete the job every cheerleader has—getting the crowd into the game. When it comes to practicing I am always trying to improve our team as a whole.”
This year, her personal and team goals align closely.
“Some of my personal goals are just to not mess up,” Heil said. “I want to look like I know what I am doing, like I belong on either the track or the court. Goals for my team don’t differ that much from my personal ones. I want us to look like professionals, like we are meant to be out there. Because we try to have these high standards we practice as much as we can, not just cheer but stunts and dances.”
