Stormey Pembleton, a junior elementary education major, is someone who gives the game its heartbeat, helping out her teammates in a tireless pursuit of victory. 

Pembleton was born in Gravette, Arkansas, a small town with a population of only 3,706 individuals. 

But her dreams have gone far beyond her humble beginnings since high school. 

“I have been a cheerleader since I was in kindergarten and have always found it as an outlet. Anytime I was stressed or had a bad day, I would just go to my cheer gym and use cheer as an outlet,” Pembleton said. “I knew I wanted to try out for the UCA cheer team since I was a freshman in high school, and I pushed myself to be better until tryouts.” 

During her senior year of high school, Pembleton wrestled with herself, trying to decide whether or not to continue cheering in college. 

She ultimately decided to pursue collegiate cheerleading after attending a cheer clinic at the UCA and “immediately felt at home.” 

Pembleton decided “she could not let her cheerleading career end.” 

Pembleton’s biggest influence, her own cheerleaders, is her entire family. 

“They have been there for me at every game, competition, and appearance,” Pembleton said. “I have been through so much throughout my life and they have always been there for me and help push and encourage me through everything.” 

Taking on the responsibility of being the heartbeat of an entire game is not without its challenges.

“With cheer, you are expected to be at all games, practices and appearances. We practice three times a week for at least 2 hours and sometimes more. At practice we also usually start out with a 2-mile warm-up run so your body has your best in the best condition to get through that and practice,” Pembleton said. “We are expected to be at all home football and basketball games as well as any pep rallies and appearances. It is very time-consuming.” 

She is also involved in a sorority on campus, Alpha Sigma Alpha. 

“Managing school, cheer, a job and sorority is very difficult, but I’ve always been used to managing my time,” Pembleton said. 

Cheerleading has taught her much more than how to energize the crowd she is facing and the players struggling for a win behind her. 

“Cheer has taught me patience, teamwork, work ethic, confidence, trust and the list goes on,” Pembleton said. 

The sport has also assisted the athlete in properly stewarding her health and physique. 

“With being on the team I have to maintain my health. I personally have to make sure I drink a lot of water daily,” Pembleton said. 

Pembleton has practically spent a lifetime in cheer and she does not plan to stop after college. She plans to be involved in cheerleading, just in a different capacity. 

Pembleton currently coaches cheer at a gym and desires to continue doing that in whatever school she lands in. 

“I want athletes to experience the same feeling as I did for cheer,” Pembleton said.