The bus rides, the music, the friendships—those moments mean just as much as the big performances for Vinita junior Emma Tracy. “My favorite memory is listening to music on the bus before games with my friends,” she said. That sense of connection carries over to the field, where she takes the role of flyer and mentor seriously as the Hornets cheer team prepares for a new season.
“Heading into this season, my personal goal is to be more confident in my skills,” Tracy shared. “I want to push myself, trust my training, and take on new challenges.”
This summer, the team focused on a more personalized approach to growth. “We tried a home camp for more one-on-one attention,” she said. “It helped us sharpen the basics and really focus on individual and team development.”
Tracy said the biggest shift she’s noticed isn’t physical—it’s the energy. “The biggest improvement from the team is having positive minds and trying new skills,” she said. “We’re encouraging each other and staying open to learning.”
That support system has made all the difference. “Our team’s biggest strength is that we try our best to motivate and support each other,” she said. “That positivity is what keeps us going through tough practices and long game days.”
As both a flyer and a mentor to underclassmen, Tracy understands the importance of her role. “I try to help guide the younger girls and lead by example,” she said. “I want to be someone they feel like they can come to.”
Game day routines are all about preparation and energy. “When preparing for a game, I make sure everyone is mentally and physically ready,” Tracy said. “We stretch, we focus, and we get our heads right.”
Even when nerves kick in, she leans on a simple mindset: “Keep smiling and stay positive no matter what is happening in the game.”
Tracy hopes to be remembered not only for her skills, but for the way she treated others. “I want my legacy to be that I was a kind and giving person,” she said.
A member of NHS and STUCO, Tracy plans to attend college after graduation and pursue a degree in social work—proof that her heart for helping others extends far beyond the sidelines.
