Tori Shirley, a Jena High School Class of 2022 graduate, has signed on as a cheerleader for Louisiana Christian University (LCU) in Pineville. Shirley served as a JHS cheerleader for four years as well as a softball player and was active in clubs and organizations.
Tori Shirley, a Jena High School Class of 2022 graduate, has signed on as a cheerleader for Louisiana Christian University (LCU) in Pineville.
Shirley served as a JHS cheerleader for four years as well as a softball player and was active in clubs and organizations. During the school year, she signed to play softball for LCU as well and then was approached to become a cheerleader.
“Coach Nettles is the cheer coach at LCU. She had approached me a couple different times while I was around campus during the month of May asking me to cheer at LCU,” Shirley said. “I was a little unsure at first taking on two sports in college, but I thought about it and decided to meet with her and talk it all over in June.”
She said she is in shock how quickly everything happened and she credits everything to God.
“I’m blessed to have had these doors open and opportunities at my feet,” she said. “God has really helped me and I know he will continue to do so. All my trust is in Him and all my Glory goes to Him.”
Shirley said her first day of class at LCU is August 22 and she is already doing workouts for both cheer and softball. Her first event as a LCU cheerleader was on June 16 during LCU’s Frosh weekend.
She said she is thankful for the opportunity to participate in both cheer and softball for LCU and she is excited about her academic studies as well.
“Starting in the fall semester, I’m looking forward to becoming a better Christian athlete while working toward my degree in chemistry,” she said. “Once I graduate, I would like to become a geoscientist in the petroleum field and reside in LaSalle Parish. I know this work will take me to other places in the U.S., but I would like to stay close to home as possible.”
She said she has many people to thank for supporting and encouraging her no matter what, but she would most like to thank her parents, Ricky and Dana Shirley, who have pushed her to do her best even when things were rough. She also wants to thank the Lord above for being her rock and light. Without Him, she said she is nothing and she thinks of Mark 9:23 often: “All things are possible if you believe.”
