Addi Edwards flips through the air with precision as a varsity cheerleader for Charles Page High School’s Lady Sandites in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. The senior embodies the spirit of her squad, balancing roles as main base and flyer while juggling powerlifting, stunt group, National Honor Society and HOSA.
Edwards praises her team’s unbreakable bond amid challenges. “I love how kind my team is to each other,” she said. “We have had many challenges this year whether it’s internally or externally, but my team has come together and resolved these issues with grace and respect.” Laughter fills their gym, she added: “Honestly, I think all my teammates are so funny and we all are constantly laughing at practice and joking around with each other. It’s hard to have a bad day when you walk in to our cheer gym.”
As main base, Edwards controls complex spins; as flyer, she juggles multiple tasks mid-air. “Being a main base is hard because in a lot of skills you are the one controlling it especially spinning skills,” she explained. “Being a flyer is hard because you have a lot of jobs to think about while you’re trying to complete a skill.” Her positive attitude uplifts the squad.
Mom is her biggest influence for selflessness. Cheer has shaped her future: “It has taught me that even when I don’t want it for myself, I have made a commitment to want it for the people standing next to me,” Edwards said. “It’s taught me that if you want to be respected then you have to put in the hard work. Most importantly it has taught me to be coachable.” Outside the gym, Edwards paints, crafts bracelets, listens to music and enjoys nature with friends. At Charles Page, home of the Sandites, her versatility fuels school pride under Coach Kassidy Focht.
