THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 17, 1994 TAG: 9406150184
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: CLIPPER
SOURCE: BY SUSAN SMITH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940617 LENGTH: Medium
Ottley was leading a group of hopeful girls through their paces during cheerleading tryouts.
{REST} ``You can do it,'' said Ottley, encouraging the girls as some fumbled and tripped over the fast side steps, dips and jumps.
Helping coach the new recruits for next year is one of the last cheering assignments Ottley will have for Great Bridge High School. She's a senior and this is graduation week. It's also the end of more than four years of hard work.
``But don't forget . . . lots of fun,'' she said.
Coach Sharon Ivey says Ottley is one of the best.
``It's not only her talent and skill but her hard work, determination and enthusiasm that makes her stand out,'' Ivey said.
Ottley has been a cheerleader at Great Bridge High for four years. She is a six-time All-American Cheerleader, a member and later captain of the Chesapeake Great Cats Pep Team. For two years in a row, she was voted ``most outstanding'' Great Cat. Ottley is also an honor roll student.
She is the daughter of Jackie and Mickey Ottley of Great Bridge.
``My family has never pushed me,'' Ottley said. ``But they have always encouraged me. My older brother, Jason, even went to all my tryouts.''
As a child, she wanted to be a majorette because she saw a neighbor with her costume and baton and wanted to try it herself. But cheering in a community recreation league put her on the cheerleading track. Since then, she has cheered and performed through every season and for every sport.
``I've always tried to work hard,'' Ottley said. ``Every time I thought I was pretty good, I would look around and see someone better. So I would go back to work.''
Ottley tried to practice every day. Before competitions, she would practice for three to four hours a day. She has attended the International Cheering Foundation Camp, the National Cheering Association Camps and Eastern Cheering Association activities.
As a freshman, Ottley went to the National Cheering Association Camp, where she did a solo routine in front of the judges. Her nervousness must not have shown because she was selected an All-American Cheerleader.
That fall, she went to New York and marched in the Macy's parade. ``I was totally spellbound,'' she said. ``The big city, city lights, and so many people.''
Since then, Ottley has returned every year as an All-American to march in the famous Thanksgiving parade.
She also has been selected as an All-American by the Eastern Cheering Association for the past two years. In January, she cheered at the Hula Bowl in Hawaii and made it to the top 20 finalists.
Cheering in now recognized as a high school sport.
``But cheering is about more than just chants, dancing and routines,'' said Ottley. ``It teaches self-esteem, confidence and responsibility. I've learned self-motivation, leadership skills and teamwork.''
Over the summer, she will be a staff instructor at a National Cheerleading Association camp in Virginia and, later, one in Delaware.
This fall, Ottley and her teammate, Megan Georges, will attend Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, where they both plan to try out for the junior varsity team.
``I love cheering, but it is not my life,'' Ottley said. ``If I don't make it, I will have to move on to something else.
``But I would be sad for a little while.''
by CNB