By JON SITLER
Kyla Weber is ready for anything.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Tyson Himes
Eisenhower senior Kyla Weber
"She knows exactly what she wants to do," said her father, Gary, of his independent daughter.
"Cheerleading was a real surprise to us," he said. "She just got it in her mind she was going to go out for winter cheerleading. She decided last year (out of left field) she was going to play softball."
She's the daughter of two school administrators, and going to college for nursing.
Her parents are her inspiration, not because she wants to be exactly like them; "My parents are my biggest inspirations because they push me towards my dreams every day and always help me to make the best decisions," said Kyla.
"She has a good head on her shoulders," said her mother, Misty. "She'll make the right decisions."
A little "Q & A" with Kyla Weber:
Q: Who are your parents and siblings?
A: My parents are Misty and Gary Weber and I have a sister, Kiara (11), and a brother, Kaden (8). (Kyla participates in volleyball and cheerleading)
Q: You experience both sides of it; tell me what you like about cheering for athletes on the court, and what you like about being cheered for on the court?
A: I think the crowd can make a difference in a game. Being cheered for gets you and your team pumped up on the court and I like giving other athletes that feeling also, which is why I like cheerleading.
Q: That question asked, what are the biggest myths about cheerleading?
A: People seem to think cheerleading is easy when, in reality, there is nothing easy about throwing bodies in the air as well as being thrown in the air. If you lose focus for even a second so many things can go wrong, which can be as minor as an elbow to the face or as major as falling eight feet and hitting the solid ground.
Q: Tell me about the small intricacies that you've learned make up each sport that people don't always see. A little secret about each sport, in other words.
A: From my perspective, as a setter in volleyball, you have to know every player and where they can hit the ball best from, height- and position-wise. People think if you set it in the air and it looks good, it is a "perfect set," but each player likes it in a very specific place on the court.
In cheerleading everyone is always looking at the flyer, but the most important part are actually the bases. They have the difficult job of holding you up there for minutes at a time and catching you know matter where you might end up landing.
Q: I guess I am just focusing on what I know you participate in, cheerleading and volleyball. Do you or did you ever play any other sports? What were they and what did you like and dislike about them? How have sports impacted your life?
A: I participated in softball through my elementary years and decided to do it again in my tenth grade year. I love softball, but decided it was not my strongest sport, and decided to get a job instead during the spring.
Q: Your parents are both involved, or have been involved in, athletics in the county. How instrumental have they been in your sports of choice?
A: My mom has coached volleyball since I was two, and I knew since I was a toddler that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. She has taught me everything I know about volleyball and is always willing to help me improve.
My dad coached football, basketball and tennis, and although I don't play any of these sports he has been very supportive when it comes to volleyball, softball, and cheerleading. He encourages me to do what ever makes me happy and to try my hardest.
Q: What are you involved in outside of sports?
A: I am currently an officer in Student Council, Key Club, Sports Support, and the Public Relations Committee.
Q: What do you want to do after high school? College?
A: I am going to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for Nursing and hope to someday work at Pittsburgh Children's Hospital.
Q: This might be a fun question, OR NOT: Who is your favorite principal?
A: My favorite principal would have to be Mr. Weber, no offense to Lex Luther (Mr. Leamon), there is just something about him I love!
Q: You've attended different high schools or upper-level schools from what I hear. How was the transition going from one high school to another halfway through, and from one school's sports teams to another school's teams? Double the friendships?
A: It was really hard to leave Sheffield because I love and miss all my friends there, but I still see and talk to almost all of them.
I love Eisenhower and couldn't imagine not moving here because I have so many great friends I couldn't imagine my life without! Sports wise,
I love playing against them because I think it really bumps up my competitive spirit!
Q: Who is your inspiration and why?
A: My parents are my biggest inspirations because they push me towards my dreams everyday and always help me to make the best decisions.
My biggest celebrity inspiration is definitely Ellen DeGeneres because she pushes everyone to just be themselves!
Q: Tell me something not many know about you that you'd be willing to share.
A: I have moved 11 different times and attended five different schools in two states.
Q: Tell me one question I forgot to ask, and then answer it.
A: If I could travel back in time to any decade, what decade would that be and why?
I would definitely say the sixties. It was a great decade for music and change in the world. Thanks to Jessica and Josh the Beatles became my favorite band in tenth grade and now I'm obsessed.