Name: Abby Labonte
DOP: 11-24-2008
Year of Graduation: 2027
Current School: Alvirne High School
School Sports: Cheerleading
Athlete Interview
Someone you look up to; athlete, coach, family etc. and why?
I look up to my high school coach Shyla! She always puts everyone else before her and is so compassionate. She always wants the best for others and I admire that.
If you could give one piece of advice to younger athletes, what would it be?
I would say to be the example. When you’re younger, and you have a role model, you should strive to be that person.
Do you have any odd pre-game rituals?
Nothing too weird but my team and I always get ready together and make TikTok’s.
Are you more confident at Home or Away games and why?
For cheer, the location doesn’t really matter to me. But football game, home games are always the best.
What are your short-term and long-term aspirations?
My short-term aspirations are to continue to improve my skills and be a leader for my team. My long-term goal is to commit to a college and be an NCA staff.
How do you handle pressure during a critical game or performance?
When I feel pressure, I try to talk to myself and calm myself down. I envision myself doing it and look forward to how accomplished I’ll feel afterwards.
What does teamwork mean to you, and share a meaningful leadership moment.
To me, teamwork means we all want the best for one another while we work towards a similar goal. Being a captain last season made me a leader, but my favorite thing about being a leader is learning more and getting closer to my teammates because I’m there for them.
What would you say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses as an athlete?
My weakness as an athlete is to be nicer when people complain.
My greatest strength is my ability to cheer everyone on.
How do you manage you athletic responsibilities with academics & personal commitments?
I manage my athletic responsibilities with academics by always putting academics first. I send out a strict schedule for my days so athletics can be one part of my day and academics can be another part, while also managing personal commitments.
How do you handle constructive criticism & feedback from coaching staff?
I love constructive criticism and always knowing what I can improve on. It drives me to push even harder
What has been a big success moment so far, and how do you remember it making you feel?
My biggest success moment was breaking my high school record with my team. It made me feel like all the hard work I put into the season paid off.
An interesting fact about me is...
I am a tumbling instructor at east celebrity elite. I love a good Instagram post and Pinterest is my favorite app!
I have five siblings.
