Motivation can be a key component of an athlete’s success. While the work they put in is important, if they are not motivated to put in the time and effort that it takes, they will have a tough time reaching their goals. Mackenna Markes is a cheerleader at Pioneer High School and she says that her biggest motivation is something very important to her life.

“I am motivated by my faith,” she stated. “My relationship with the Lord is what motivates me to keep going and do what I love doing, which is cheering. Without Him, I would not be who I am or where I am today.”

Markes is in her senior year of high school and she serves as captain of the cheerleading team. She is also involved in the student council, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Beta Club, the Technology Student Association, and the yearbook staff.

As a member of the cheer squad at Pioneer, Mackenna has experienced a lot of great moments with her teammates, but she says that there is one moment when she and her teammates nailed a routine that is her favorite.

“The highlight of my career was when my squad hit our football senior night performance after making last-minute changes and not hitting the routine when we practiced that afternoon,” she said. “After we realized we hit and our routine was over, we all ran off the field super happy and excited. That day was really special to me because it was my senior night and it was the start of closing the chapter on my cheerleading career.”

Cheering is something that Markes enjoys doing and being able to be an example to the younger kids is something that she feels honored to do.

“To be a Pioneer Mustang and to represent the school on the sidelines is to do everything and give 110% because there is someone watching,” she said. “There is a little girl or boy out there watching us and me, wanting to be us when they grow up. I was that little girl at one point so it brings an extra level of responsibility.”