PERRYVILLE — Seventeen-year-old Kelsie Roland is traveling, staying in nice hotels and getting her picture taken a lot. She’s not a celebrity, but she’s becoming famous in the cheerleading world.
Roland, a senior at Perryville High School, was chosen to represent The Worldwide Spirit Association, a cheerleading company, as the Face of WSA.
“Cheerleading is my life,” Roland said. She has been cheerleading since she was 6 years old as part of a competitive squad through Cheer Force Arkansas at the Sonshine Academy in Conway. She is a member of the Falcons, a level 5 squad. Roland said she loves to tumble. “I’m about 5 feet tall and about 95 pounds — that means I’m on top,” she said, laughing. Roland said she trusts the girls to catch her. “That’s my favorite thing to do is to fly,” she said.
Roland is also captain of the Perryville High School cheerleaders.
She talked about why she entered the World Spirit Association competition: “I thought it would be an excellent opportunity just to get my name out, especially it being my senior year,” Roland said. “I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity, and I have loved it.”
To enter, Roland had to submit an essay outlining her cheerleading experience, community-service projects, school activities and academic achievements and send it with her photo to the company. After reviewing the applicants, the company narrowed the field to 10 finalists and then five, before choosing Roland.
Her school activities include just about every club that exists. She reeled off the list quickly: She’s president of the Student Council, secretary of Future Business Leaders of America, and a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Spanish Club and Mustangs Superfans. She’s also an aide in the special-needs class at her high school.
“They always have a special place in my heart, so I thought it would be perfect,” Roland said of the students in the class.
The daughter of Beth and John Roland, Kelsie also helps coach the special-needs cheerleading team at the Sonshine Academy. “I love kids, and I love cheer,” Roland said.
Sarah Marsh, a pediatric physical therapist and one of the Falcons’ three coaches, said she has coached Roland for about 10 years. Marsh said that although captains aren’t elected, Roland is the leader.
“She’s just an incredible leader,” Marsh said. “They all look to her just for motivation, and she also leads by example — she’s a very hard worker and will do anything you ask her to do and try her hardest, always.”
Marsh said that being chosen as the Face of WSA is “a great opportunity for her to meet new people and then represent Cheer Force.”
Roland doesn’t want her cheerleading career to end after high school. She said she’ll try out in April to be a cheerleader at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Susanne Harrelson of Perryville, who cheered there. Roland said her mother was a cheerleader at Oak Grove High School. The senior’s career goal is to be a pediatric physical therapist, like her coach.
After Roland won the Face of WSA contest, her first trip was to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“I had never been; that was exciting,” she said. Her day’s activities included a six-hour photo shoot, a tour of the area and shopping. Roland’s picture has been used in company advertisements and will appear in national magazine ads, she said.
The next day in Louisiana at the cheerleading competition, she interviewed other cheerleaders and took photos and made videos to post on social media.
“It’s just to promote WSA, and it helps get your gym name out. It gets Cheer Force’s name out,” she said.
On March 7, Roland will represent the World Spirit Association, as well as compete as part of Cheer Force, in New Orleans.
Later in March, she will attend a cheerleading competition in Destin, Florida. Roland said she will have the same responsibility for the association as in New Orleans.
“I’ll interview kids about what they like about WSA,” and post on social media, she said. “They pay for everything, which is really nice,” she said.
Roland said her parents were excited that she won the World Spirit Association competition.
“They were very thankful that I was blessed with this opportunity, and so am I,” she said.
Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.