Athlete Spotlight: James Wood cheerleader Lily Dodson

James Wood High School 17-year-old senior

Sport: Cheerleading. Position: Base

Parent: Sarah Wallace

Hometown: Winchester

What do you love about cheerleading?: I love the people that I get to meet on the team and how at home I feel with the people on the mat.

Most memorable moment in cheerleading: Getting to go to states with the team last year. We had so much fun together, and it was such a great bonding experience.

Most embarrassing moment in cheerleading: Probably at the Skyline competition last year. I dropped my sign during the cheer. I was feeling like, ‘I cannot believe that just happened.’

Most difficult moment in cheerleading: Getting over mental blocks. I had a big mental block on my handspring for a while because I broke my toe, and all my teammates just kept encouraging me. I eventually got over it, but it was really frustrating because it took me so long to do something, even though I knew I could do it.

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: Taylor Swift because I just love her music, and I just want to be able to have a conversation with her. Another person I would say is Gracie Abrams. I think she would be such a sweet person to talk to and be around. And then Steve Carell. I loved him in “The Office,” and I think he would be so funny to meet in person.

Biggest athletic influence?: Gabi Butler. When I was growing up doing competitive cheer, that was when she was really big in the spotlight for competitive cheer, so I always really looked up to her.

Favorite teacher: Tisha Hicks. She is my current teacher for my pharmacy technician class. She’s just so sweet, and she really lets us take control of how the class is taught and lets us decide what is the best way for us to learn things.

Favorite athlete: Carlos Alcaraz

Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite movie: “La La Land”

Favorite TV show: “Gilmore Girls”

Favorite song: “The Archer” by Taylor Swift

Favorite food: Pastel (a Brazilian food)

Worst thing you’ve eaten: I ate a cricket one time for a free T-shirt. It was pretty gross.

Plans after high school: I’m planning to attend a four-year university and major in chemistry to hopefully become a pharmacist. I’m really good at math, but I always wanted to work in the health field and being able to help people is just really something I’m interested in.

— Compiled by Justin Robertson