Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Willowridge senior Destan’e Wilson certainly wasn’t named the 2023 FAB Awards Cheer Athlete of the Year for nothing.
As captain of the Eagles’ cheer team, she has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to her craft while exemplifying the leadership role of the group.
Wilson’s joyful demeanor and dedication to the cheer-life began early on in her childhood.
“I’ve been doing cheer since I was 10 years old, when I started at White Fine Arts Center,” she said. “It’s really built me into the person I am today and has taught me a lot of leadership skills. I’m just so grateful to be able to pass that down to my teammates and younger girls that look up to me.”
Some of the faces of 2023-24 Willowridge CheerBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Said “younger girls” include the ones she instructs during her free time.
“Outside of school, I work as a tumble coach with Fort Bend Impact,” said Wilson. “In addition, I’m going to become a recreational cheer coach for Dynasty Cheer. So, even during my free time, I’m still cheering.”
In addition to being one of the most recognized cheer athletes Fort Bend ISD has to offer, what’s even more remarkable about Wilson are her ensuing aspirations.
“My future is sort of planned out,” she said. “I’ve been saying it since I was three years old, but I really want to become a neonatal nurse. So, I’m doing whatever it takes with education, as well as being able to cheer in college. That’s really my set-in-stone plan.”
Why does she intend to pursue this particular career path?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“It stems from my older brother (Reginald) and cousin being born prematurely,” Wilson said. “They were really sick and they’ve been pretty small their entire lives. I remember my Mom telling me stories about how she would have to see my brother through a bubble, and it made me want to look into what was behind the scenes of it all. After some research, I found out that neonatal nurses work with premature babies and children with birth defects. It just seemed like a calling to me.”
Nursing can often be one of the more strenuous professions around. However, given the mental fortitude this Willowridge senior possesses, it shouldn’t shock anyone if she’s wearing scrubs one day.
“If I could give a piece of advice to my freshman self, I would definitely tell her that it’s going to be hard, but you’re going to get through it,” said Wilson. “Just keep putting in the work and the outcome will be beautiful. Keep your trust and faith in God, focus on your craft and don’t let anything distract you. Just keep going.”
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2023 FORT BEND ISD FALL DIGITIAL MAGAZINE
Read More...Read Less
As the 2023 Texas High School Football season is underway, VYPE ranked the top 10 players in the Class of 2026 from the Greater Houston-Area.
Without further ado, here is the annual VYPE Future 10 of the Class of 2026.
...
No. 1 - Isaiah Williams, FB Marshall, DB
No. 2 - Keisean Henderson, Legacy SSS, ATH
No. 3 - Romin Seymour, Manvel, QB
No. 4 - Jermaine Bishop Jr., Willis, ATH
No. 5 - Jimmy Phrisco Alo-Suliafu, Katy Jordan, DL
No. 6 - Grant Smith, Grand Oaks, QB
No. 7 - Mike Brown, Legacy SSS, WR
No. 8 - Dayjon Moore, Willis, OL
No. 9 - Kyden Barker, Galveston Ball, QB
No. 10 - Kaeden Johnson, FB Marshall, QB
...
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE 2023 VYPE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TEAM & INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS
Read More...Read Less
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Given the relative infancy of Water Polo being an official UIL sport, many are unfamiliar with the trials and tribulations of the sport.
Not only is there a physical toll, with players being required to tread water for the entirety of the match, but there is a mental aspect which Travis senior Jack Woodruff is all too familiar with.
“Water polo requires a lot of mental toughness,” he said. “But, you tend to realize that this is what you’ve prepared for and you put your mind to it. The game takes plenty of teamwork and communication to succeed, which goes with any team sport.”
Swimming has come naturally to Woodruff, dating back to his days in club swimming. However, he and his teammates had to pick up water polo on the fly when the program first started his junior year.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 FB Travis Water PoloBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“We started scrimmaging to get familiar with the sport, when the UIL first recognized it,” Woodruff said. “It was new for all of us… the coach, the team and me, especially. Learning everything was quite a challenge, but I learned to love the game and have taken off since then.”
So, what serves as Woodruff’s inspiration when it comes to his athletic career?
“It’s been two people – my Dad and my club swim coach,” said Woodruff. “My Dad has been teaching me about sports my whole life, starting as a kid when we’d play football in the living room much to my Mom’s dismay. He’s been my biggest supporter when I’ve gone through some mental blocks. In regards to my swim coach, she helped me to fall back in love with the sport and convinced me to do it throughout the rest of high school.”
Woodruff will be in the pool for the majority of his senior year, considering he will compete on the water polo team in the Fall and the swim team in the Winter.
However, this will be the final year he does so, as he pursues another passion of his at the university he hopes to attend – Texas A&M.
“I’m a member of the school’s FFA program,” he said. “I actually have two steers, right now – one will be going to the Fort Bend County Fair and the other I will be entering into the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. That’s part of the reason I want to go to A&M. I’m very interested in animals and agriculture, so I can easily see myself doing something on that route. I would also potentially like to become a teacher or coach down the line.”
Before he ironically commits himself to the land, expect Woodruff to give it his all this year, which will mark his swan-song season in the pool.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2023 FORT BEND ISD FALL DIGITAL MAGAZINE
Read More...Read Less
TRENDING
GAMES
Join the #VYPETEAM
Get up to date news from all over the country!
FROM THE WEB