Elizabethton’s Lakyn James draws many cheer skills from dance
Published 9:00 am Monday, March 4, 2019
On the outside, Lakyn James is just your typical high school senior who is antsy about doing all the little things that are required to earn a high school diploma and prepare for the journey in life as James gets things in line to enter college.
However, James has been one busy young lady who has not only excelled in the classroom but out front as a dancer and as a T.A. Dugger and Elizabethton High School cheerleader.
It was in dance at a very young age that James actually even considered becoming a cheerleader.
“I’ve taken dance since I was 3 years old, but I didn’t start at Watts Dance Studio until I was in 3rd grade,” said James. “Taking dance is originally the reason I started cheering in the first place because all my friends at dance were doing cheer and cheer is one of the only sports you can do while still being able to go to dance.
“Watts has taught me so much and is where all my tumbling and technique comes from.”
James has really excelled at dance to the point where she is now sharing her love for dance and perhaps even cheer with many young ladies that she is currently instructing at Watts Dance.
“I teach 3rd-5th grade hip hop and preschool tap, ballet, and tumbling,” said James about her dance responsibilities. “Teaching dance is by far my favorite thing I do and what I will miss most after I graduate.
“I love those kids and being around them, so teaching is what I look forward to every week, no matter what I’m going through or how I’m feeling, I leave that night happy because of them every time.
“I love all the little girls I teach and have become so close to some of them over the years to where I even see a lot them outside of dance,” James continued. “I even go on vacations with one of the first girls I began teaching.
“Their little smiles, all the countless hugs, cheering them up when they’re sad, and them making me laugh till I cry, has been the most rewarding thing I’ve done. I will always cherish the sweet friendships I’ve made with them and all the memories I’ve made teaching.”
Away from dance, James has had an exceptional career as a Cyclone cheerleader, cheering both football in the fall and basketball during the winter sports season.
She has been on the sidelines as the Cyclone football team has advanced deep into the postseason and most recently spent time cheering the Lady Cyclone and Cyclone basketball teams with both advancing deep into the regional playoffs.
“Being a cheerleader has had a huge impact on my life and has played a big part in shaping me into the person I am today,” James stated. “Cheer has taught me many things such as leadership skills, overcoming difficult circumstances, and how to work as a team with people who have different opinions than you.
“One of the most important things I’ve learned is how big of an impact you can have on people even if you don’t think you do, so it’s important to try to be the best version of yourself you can be by just being a kind, good person.”
James is quick to point out that cheerleading is not about just being another pretty face or being able to make the next tumble or flip. It’s actually much deeper than that.
“Being a cheerleader is a huge role to have,” added James. “You’re representing your school so you have to do your best to try to be a good example and make them proud.
“Being a cheerleader is about supporting your teams till the end no matter what, getting everyone in the school involved and feel like they’re a part of the excitement that goes on, but most of all being a good person that people can depend on.”
Even though her family have been highly supportive of her in her dance and cheer, James is quick to point out that her deep faith in God is where she gets her greatest strength from.
“If I could change one thing, I wish that everyone would come to know and love God,” James said. “There’s so much pain in the world, but only God can help us and end our suffering.
“God has blessed me in so many ways, and I would have nothing and be broken if it weren’t for Him. I just know that He could fill other lives too if they come to know Him.”
After graduation, James plans on going to East Tennessee State University and major in marketing and minor in merchandising with the goal of working in fashion after earning her degree.
She also looks forward to one day getting married and having a family of her own.
In the meantime, however, James will be content with finishing out her high school days with her dearest and close friends as her senior year quickly winds down to the day of donning a cap and gown and being a graduating member of the Class of 2019.
Lakyn James Snapshot
Parents: Rob and Cindy James
Siblings: Caytlin James
Church Attend: Hunter First Baptist
Favorites:
Food: Tacos
Ice Cream: Cotton Candy
Music Genre: Rock
Musician/Band: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Song: Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Retail store: Alter’d State
Actor: John Krasinski
Movie: Coraline
Cheer: “We are the Cyclones, Yell EHS”
School Subject: History
Teacher: Zachary Ensor
Pastime/Hobbies: Dance, Hiking, Biking
Color: Yellow
Pets: Cat