VYPE: What has been the highlight moment of your career?
Gretchen: At cheer camp my senior year, I sang “We Can’t Back Down” from Camp Rock II at the group talent show. While I sang all the other teams cheered and sang along with me. At the end of camp, they announced me as the talent show winner and all the teams went crazy cheering for me. Being supported by my team and the other teams at camp is one of my most favorite memories.
VYPE: What has it taken to be successful in your sports?
Gretchen: For my team to be successful we have to practice and work together as a team. I help my team by cheering them on during competitions and practice. I also work hard practicing my jumps and walking on the treadmill. Our team is successful because we do things right and work hard.
VYPE: Who is the least appreciated player on your team?
Gretchen: Coach Reagan is the least appreciated player on our team. She always shows up for us no matter what and pushes us to be the best. No matter what I know that Coach Reagan will always be there to support me whether it is in cheer, school, or if I am just having a tough day. She works very hard for our team and we all love and appreciate her more than she knows.
VYPE: What does it mean to you to represent your school and community in your sports?
Gretchen: Kingfisher is my home and I love supporting our teams. Being able to cheer for Kingfisher makes me happy because I get to encourage the players and represent KHS. The cheer clinic we host for elementary students is one of my favorite ways to represent KHS. Helping the little girls learn our cheers is so fun because we get to show them what cheer is about and be a good example. Representing KHS has been the most fun part of my high school experience, I am proud to represent the community that has supported and encouraged me for the last 18 years.
VYPE: Who are some of your biggest influences or role models? Why?
Gretchen: My mom is my role model because she is kind, sweet and always helps others. Kaitlan Peregrin and Brooke Foley are also my role models because I can ask them for help and they always take care of me.
VYPE: What teacher has had the biggest impact on your life? How?
Gretchen: Riley Dacus, my broadcasting teacher teaches me all about how to create and edit videos. I love TikTok and she helps me edit some of the videos I post. Every Wednesday, Ms. Dacus and I have a Braum’s date and we talk about everything. Ms. Dacus always says funny things and takes the best pictures of me and my friends.
VYPE: What clubs and campus activities are you involved with?
Gretchen: I am the senior class secretary, and student advisor for the Kingfisher FFA Chapter, and am a member of the KHS Student Council. Outside of KHS, I serve as a member of the Center of Family Love Teen Advisory Board and I am a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. My favorite extracurricular activity is being a high school teacher’s aide for Mrs. Hagar’s Pre-K class.
VYPE: Who is your favorite person you follow on social media? Why?
Gretchen: Taylor Swift is my favorite person I follow on social media because I am her biggest fan. I love listening to her music and trying to figure out all of the hidden Easter eggs in her posts. My favorite Taylor Swift song is Shake it Off and I can’t wait for Midnights to be released in October.
VYPE: What are your plans after high school?
Gretchen: I will be attending Oklahoma State University in the fall. I was recently accepted into Opportunity Orange Scholars and I will start in the fall. The Opportunity Orange Scholars program is designed for young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 with intellectual disabilities. Students admitted into the Opportunity Orange Scholars program can pursue a four-year, non-degree academic certificate in Career and Community Studies. Students in the program are fully immersed in the OSU experience, as they live and learn on campus. It is a big opportunity that I am really excited about.
