For HSE Senior Basketball Cheerleader, Abby McCalister, her final season hasn’t been just about chants, stunts, or sidelines. It’s been about her faith driven leadership on the court and in the classroom throughout her high school career.
McCalister describes the 2025-26 Basketball Cheer team to be one of the most talented and connected group of girls she’s been a part of with her 4 years spent on Varsity. What makes it so special isn’t just the skill but the environment they have developed.
“The environment at practice and games is super light and fun,” McCalister says. “We tend to get close as a team through the long bus rides and all the games. Because of this, the culture is one of family.”.
Tradition is what has kept their culture alive and has shown to strengthen their unity through the various personalities, beliefs, and athletes that the team is made up of. A tradition prioritized by the teams Coach is family dinners.
Before every home game, the team meats early, puts their phones away, and shares a meal together in the Royal Den. And for away games, the bus rides provide an opportunity for them to connect as they stop to eat before heading into the game.
These simple yet impactful moments with her teammates aren’t the only catalyst to their strong connection. For McCalister, that sense of connection stims from her faith.
“My faith is very important to me,” McCalister says. “I try to connect my faith to cheer by being kind to my teammates and reaching out if someone says they’re struggling. I think faith connects to every part of being an athlete.”.
This year more than ever before, her faith been evident in her leadership. McCalister’s leadership isn’t just seen in the cheer setting, but throughout her school and her involvement in FCA.
“I’m lucky to be able to reach out to coaches and invite programs to be FCA’s team of the week,” McCalister says. “I knew I wanted to invite Basketball Cheer, and when I did, so many of teammates showed up and heard a great message from Mrs. Daniels.”.
This experience encouraged McCalister to see how her faith was able to spread support and joy beyond the sidelines.
“My faith has given me a ‘why’, especially this year since it’s been my most challenging year of cheer yet,” McCalister says. “It challenges me to serve my teammates, whether that’s being overprepared with a bag full of anything someone might need, or just walking and talking with them between practices.”.
Looking back, one of the most impactful parts of her cheer career goes all the way back to freshman year.
“Being given the opportunity to cheer varsity as a freshman was huge for me,” McCalister says.
That moment set the foundation for the leadership role she carrier now.
As McCalister reflects on her years at HSE, she shares that the value of kindness that she’s embodied through her faith and helps her be a great leader stands above everything else.
“I think being a kind teammate is far more important than any talent you can bring to a team,” McCalister says. “When you’re kind to your teammates, it helps to build the family like culture that we have this year.”.
