13 questions with senior Courtney Ellis

13+questions+with+senior+Courtney+Ellis

Senior Courtney Ellis is involved with both music and sports. Both of these activities require hours of afterschool practice, leaving little time for a social life or homework. Ellis is a 2015-2016 cheer captain, a member of orchestra and a member of Chamber Singers. Being involved with so many activities has provided Ellis with a variety of opportunities, including becoming a 2016 Indian Call candidate.

Seniors Courtney Ellis and Brandon Davidson were 2016 Indian Call candidates.
Seniors Courtney Ellis and Brandon Davidson were 2016 Indian Call candidates.

1. When did you get involved with cheerleading?

“I first got involved with cheerleading in 7th grade and have continued through middle school and high school since.”

2. When did you get involved with music?

“I first started getting involved in music in elementary school and fell in love with it.”

Junior Anniston Weber and senior Courtney Ellis are members of Chamber Singers.
Junior Anniston Weber and senior Courtney Ellis are members of Chamber Singers.

3. Are you involved in any other sports besides cheer?

“I used to be involved in volleyball the past few years and even softball for my freshman year.”

4. Do you find it hard to balance between sports and music?

“There are difficulties with balancing music and sports, but over the years I have learned how to cope with it.”

5. What instruments do you play?

“I play the violin in orchestra, which I have done since elementary school, and I sing.”

6. Is any of your family involved with both music AND sports? If not, are they involved with one or the other?

“My family tries to be very involved with my sports and music. They almost never miss a concert or a game. They are pretty even on which they attend more.”

7. Does being involved with so much enhance or worsen your high school experience?

“Being involved in so much during high school has made my high school experience better but it has had some downfalls. I’ve had an abundant amount of opportunities with these two types of activities but I have had to make some tough decisions. Through the years you learn you really can’t do everything, you just can’t have the amount of time and energy you need to give everything 100 percent.”

8. Have you applied for any scholarships for music or cheer?

“I have applied for a few music scholarships, and I have looked at a few schools to get a scholarship for cheer.”

9. Do you plan to pursue cheer in college? Why or why not?

“I am pursuing cheerleading in college next year, I will be cheering a Pratt Community College. I hope to either continue cheerleading or music when I transfer to a 4 year university in 2 years.”

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10. Do you plan to continue with music in college? Why or why not?

“I want to continue with music as much as I can in college. There aren’t a lot of opportunities at a community college, but I do plan to do the school musicals and hopefully join community groups or something.”

11. How do you keep up with your grades while being involved with so many afterschool activities?

“Sometimes I do fall a little behind in school from being involved in so much, but after doing so much for so long I have just learned to manage my time better and focus on my priorities. Having GPS has definitely helped tremendously.”

12. Is your family supportive of you being involved with so much?

“They used to get on to me a lot about picking and choosing the things I’m involved in because I would come home every day exhausted and just end up passing out without even eating supper. Since I’ve cut down on the activities I’m in they are pretty supportive, but they have always been there for me when I need it and been involved.”

Ellis is a member of the alto section of Chamber Singers.
Ellis is a member of the alto section of Chamber Singers.

13. What would you tell someone who wanted to be involved with music and sports in high school?

“I would say that it is totally worth it. All the many hours I have spent in the gym, on a field, in a music room, or on a stage have really made me the person I am today. Without all of my extra activities I wouldn’t be nearly as much of an outgoing person. Music and sports are the two things I believe are the most important in high school. They teach you so much, so yes I truly believe everyone should at least try to be involved with these activities.”

17aweber@usd489.com