Kiefer High School senior cheerleader Gabby Collier is about as resilient of a teen as you’ll meet. Maintaining an optimistic view on life is key for Collier. It’s something she learned from her mom and dad.
“I definitely think I have a very positive outlook on everything,” Collier said. “I look at any situation no matter what it is, positively! I try and be supportive no matter the outcome.”
Collier’s father died earlier this year. As it would anybody’s, it challenged Collier’s “can-do” attitude.
“That was definitely a challenge. I had to keep my head up and be positive to everybody in the family,” Collier said. “I’m taking it one day at a time, being positive, of course. Everybody has their challenges in life, but negativity doesn’t go anywhere.”
Collier’s cheer career began 6 years ago.
“I used to do gymnastics, and I ran into a friend that had seen me tumble and encouraged me to try cheer, and I loved it and have been doing it ever since,” Collier said. “I’ve done soccer, gymnastics, softball, track and basketball, but I’m only doing cheer at the moment.”
Cheer was the sport she loved the most of them all, especially due to the feeling she gets from flying: “Full of excitement!” And in a small town like Kiefer, the bonds run deeper than in most places. Relationships with her teammates are another key aspect of Collier’s life.
“I love the bond that you get with everyone,” Collier said. “Everyone is so great there. . . Everybody is close and helps out so much. They definitely have each others’ back. I definitely think that it’ll make me have more of a positive outlook.”
Those relationships have helped Collier persevere through the most difficult time of her life. She inherited her “can-do” attitude from her dad, and that, along with the memories she’ll never lose, will be permanent factors in her life.
“Good times with him I often think about. I also know he would want me to be happy,” Collier said. “He was always proud of me for anything I did. He would definitely be proud that I got on Vype.”
Collier is undecided on her future plans but is looking into esthetician school.
