But the Warren Area High School graduate isn’t joining Mercyhurst University’s Division II STUNT team on talent alone.

“Jayna was completely dedicated to cheerleading since the moment she could come to high school open gyms at the end of her eighth grade year,” said WAHS varsity coach Melissa Feaster. “I quickly learned Jayna was very skilled in all areas of cheerleading — jumps, tumbling, motions, dancing. Not only was she extremely talented, she was one that would light up the football and basketball sidelines and competition mat. She had this smile and sense of confidence that you couldn’t take your eyes off of her while she cheered. I could always count on Jayna to help with the HOCO pep assembly dance, scouting out the teams we would be against at D10 and states, thinking outside the box, and making suggestions to improve the team and competition routine.

“Over the last four years, I think she has grown to love the sport even more,” added Feaster. “I can’t wait to watch her grow as a person and a cheerleader at Mercyhurst. I am sure she will be an asset to the program just as she was an asset to the WAHS cheer program.”

Jayna’s accolades don’t just include being part of a team that qualified for the PIAA 2A Large Varsity Division Championships in Hershey three straight years — with the Dragons finishing sixth in 2021, fifth in 2022 and fourth this year, her senior year.

Photo submitted to Times Observer Warren Area High School graduate Jayna Phillips was a three-time state representative while cheerleading with the Dragons.

“During her varsity years, she was awarded most valuable tumbler three times, captains’ choice, most valuable jumper and most valuable cheerleader,” said her mother, Nicole.

More than talent, “Jayna is a leader, passionate, intelligent, and a hard-working young lady,” said Nicole. “When Jayna was young, she participated in dance, gymnastics, and Extreme Cheerleading prior to moving on to being a Dragon cheerleader. Throughout the years, whether it was gymnastics or cheerleading, Jayna worked relentlessly on improving her skills. She practiced, watched videos, self-reflected only to improve herself. I am so very proud of her.”

“Talent is like electricity. We don’t understand electricity. We use it.”

¯ Maya Angelou

“From the age of 9, I participated in an all-star cheer team, Extreme,” said Jayna. “From there, I learned the basics of cheerleading and, with the support of the people around me, I excelled and continued to competitive high school cheer. The competitive aspect of the sport draws me to it. The determination and the attitudes of my fellow athletes is what makes the sport special to me. I believe I am well-rounded when it comes to the sport of cheerleading. However, I feel as if I especially excel in stunting and technique.

“My hope for my freshman year at Mercyhurst is to maintain good grades while being a student-athlete,” she added, “have a successful first year of STUNT. This summer, I am focusing on being with my friends and family while practicing for STUNT.

“I am passionate about cheer, therefore the long practices and extra time I spent improving skills did not feel like work,” said Jayna. “I had the privilege of cheering with some amazing athletes. I aimed to be versatile on the team. If I was put in a new position, I strived to do that position well. The journey of the WAHS program has had many ups and downs. However, through determination and perseverance we put our heads together to reach one common goal, to show the state the hard work we have to put in. The 2023 seniors have always strived to be better and had a great impact on WAHS cheer. Our constant persistence to be better had a great impact on building the program.

“Cheerleading is a sport that requires tremendous amounts of dedication and hard work,” she added, “involving a combination of stunt, tumbling and dancing. Cheerleaders spend countless hours on our routines. As my coach, Melissa Feaster, says, ‘cheerleading is the sport of perfection.’ In our routines, we need precision, to be synchronized and, on top of that, high energy. One of the most common misconceptions is cheerleading is not a sport. Cheerleaders undergo training, conditioning, and competing in competitions where they showcase their strength, athleticism, flexibility and communication.

“I am most proud of being the first team to make it straight to finals my junior year,” said Phillips. “When I was younger, I did gymnastics and dance, which contributed to my cheer ability.

“Reaching finals at states made me realize I love cheer and wanted to carry on my passion into college,” she said. “The (Mercyhurst) program is new and is the first STUNT team in Pennsylvania. Throughout high school, I throughly enjoyed tumbling and stunting and, with STUNT at Mercyhurst, I provided those skills. Mercyhurst STUNT can help me progress my abilities in those aspects. I will be majoring in nursing. My future plans are to stay in Pennsylvania and work and continue my passion in helping others. My goals are to excel in college and work at a place I love.

“My mom, Nicole Phillips, has mentored and motivated me throughout the years,” said Jayna. “She has helped me by always being there for support, whether it’s always being at my events or just giving me advice to help me improve and be a better teammate. She was a cheerleader herself and at a young age was teaching me new things and pushing me to be better. Without her, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

She won’t enter uncharted territory alone as teammate Maddie Flannery will attend Mercyhurst University and be a member of the STUNT team.

“Being able to cheer with Maddie again is an honor,” said Phillips. “Maddie is an amazing cheerleader and being able to have a familiar face is very reassuring. Maddie and I toured Mercyhurst together and both enjoyed the campus. So it was not a complete surprise, but very happy to be with Maddie for the next four years.”

Phillips’ advice for future Dragon cheerleaders sounds familiar.

“Always stay focused and committed,” she said. “Being a cheerleading involves dedication and hard work. Set goals for yourself and stay committed to achieving them. Stay focused on your routines and performances, and always strive to improve.”