The signing in the commons at Star Valley High School was full of excitement, smiles, and pride. Surrounded by classmates, teachers, and loved ones, senior Shyann Hoopes made her commitment official. For her, it was more than a signature—it was a chance to keep doing what she loves.

“Signing with Rocky Mountain College means so much to me because I get to continue doing the sport I love,” Hoopes said. “The team seems so fun and kind, and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”

Hoopes didn’t always know she’d cheer in college. “I first realized I wanted to cheer in college a few months ago when I started thinking about how much cheer has meant to me and how I didn’t want my journey with the sport to end after high school,” she said.

Getting to this point took a lot of work. Long practices, tumbling classes, extra training at home, and the motivation of her teammates all helped her grow as an athlete. “There were so many great moments with my teammates, like football games and team bonding, that made all the hard work worth it,” Hoopes added.

Her cheer coach, Faith McNaughton, has seen that growth firsthand. “Shyann came to the team with a dance background. She had never cheered before. She spent a lot of time outside of practice learning skills,” Faith said. “She worked hard to be competitive and said yes to new things often. Her growth is visible because of her commitment.”

That commitment is what helped open the door to the next level. “She earned the opportunity to cheer in college because of her dedication and commitment to both her team and the sport,” McNaughton explained. “She was not afraid of pushing her own limits and trying new stunts and that opened up a lot of possibilities.”

Choosing Rocky Mountain College wasn’t just about cheer—it was about finding a place where she could grow. “The team and coaches were so welcoming and kind, and it felt like a place where I could grow,” Hoopes explained.

McNaughton believes Hoopes is well prepared for the transition to college athletics. “Shyann will be successful because of those same qualities, dedication and commitment,” she said. “She not only dedicated time to cheer, but kept her grades up and worked part time during her years with the team. She has a great work ethic, a strong foundation, and solid motivation that will also help her be successful at Rocky Mountain.”

That preparation was shaped by the high standards at Star Valley. “Star Valley expects a level of performance from all of its athletes that can be daunting at times,” McNaughton said. “We have a history of being competitive and performing at the highest level. Shyann grew up in that culture and met and matched it. She, and her team, competed at the highest level of any team at state this year.”

Hoopes credits her family, friends, and coaches for helping her get to this moment. “Their encouragement has helped me get to where I am today,” she said.

Even as she celebrated this big milestone, Hoopes is already looking ahead to college life. She plans to bring the same hard work, positivity, and team spirit that made her a standout at Star Valley High School to Montana. McNaughton offered one final piece of advice as Hoopes begins this new chapter: “If I could give Shyann any advice for this next chapter it would be to fully embrace it. It’s so easy to look forward or backward without actually appreciating the present. I would remind her to show up, to give her best, and to make us all proud.”