GOOD HOPE, Ala. – Good Hope senior cheerleader Maycie Nolen reflects on how much God has changed her life not only in cheerleading but in school as well.
“As my cheerleading career comes to an end, I’ve found myself reflecting on the journey that brought me here, not just the games, the practices, the competitions, and the Friday night lights, but the moments in between. Through every season, one constant has guided me: God. My religion has not only shaped the kind of cheerleader I became, but also the kind of student and person I am today. When I first joined cheer, I was excited but nervous. I worried about whether I would be good enough, strong enough, or confident enough. My faith reminded me that my worth was never based on a perfect stunt or a flawless routine. It taught me that I was created with purpose, and that every talent I had was a gift meant to be used with gratitude and joy. Instead of cheering for attention, I began cheering with intention. I saw it as an opportunity to uplift others: my team, my classmates, and even myself.” Nolen said.
Maycie added, “There were tough days, of course, and I was tested in multiple ways, but God taught me perseverance. I learned to pray before performances, not necessarily for a perfect routine, but for peace and unity. I trusted that no matter the outcome, I could grow from it. That mindset changed everything. Instead of letting mistakes define me, I let them refine me. I became more patient, more encouraging, and more resilient. My faith also shaped the way I treated my teammates. It reminded me to lead with kindness and humility. Cheerleading is about teamwork, and I tried to be the kind of teammate who listened, helped growth, and celebrated others’ successes just as loudly as my own. When tensions rose, I leaned on the values my religion taught me: grace, understanding, and patience. Those values helped me build stronger bonds and a deeper sense of unity on our squad.
“In school, my religion impacted me just as deeply. It gave me a strong sense of responsibility and integrity. I tried to approach my classes with discipline and honesty, understanding that my education was a blessing and an opportunity. When I felt overwhelmed with so many things at school, my faith grounded me. I learned to give my best effort, knowing that growth is more important than perfection. As my cheerleading career comes to an end, I don’t just see trophies or routines. I see transformation. I see a younger version of myself who started this journey unsure and timid, and I see the person I’ve become: confident, grounded, and grateful. My religion didn’t just help me succeed in cheer or in school; it shaped my character. It taught me that success isn’t measured only by wins or grades, but in growth and faithfulness. Though the final game will be cheered, and the uniform will eventually be put away, the lessons will remain. My faith will continue guiding me into the next chapter of my life, just as it has guided me through every routine, every test, and every challenge. Cheerleading may be ending, but the foundation my religion built within me will last far beyond the competition mat.” Nolen added.
Maycie leans on a particular Bible verse and song to help her get through the day, and being around some great cheerleaders helped them all get closer to God.
“My favorite Bible verse is Luke 1:45: ‘Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her,’ and my favorite song is “Oceans” by Hillsong UNITED, TAYA. This verse and song mean a lot to me, because I felt like cheering was what I was meant to do. There were times, though, that I doubted that, because the environment at certain points was not for me, things being said about me, people’s actions towards me, and my health setbacks altogether had me doubting if I should even continue on, but I trusted the Lord that this was my path, and I’m so glad I did. I look back at it now and see that everything happened for a reason, and I grew from it all. Now, I love my team, thanks to the Lord, and Him guiding me to be a better leader.” Nolen said.
Maycie added, “I love my team, and I’ve learned a lot from them. I’ve made many new friendships that I never would’ve predicted, but I’m so glad it worked out like that this year. We’ve had to overcome many challenges this year, but through all of that, I believe we’ve all learned to rely on God when things are hard and to grow through the hard times. We’ve learned patience, understanding, and unity when it’s time to get down to business. I’m so proud of my team for what we’ve achieved this year, even when there were so many doubts. I’m excited to see what all they can accomplish this upcoming season.”
Faith means the world to Maycie, and she wants to help people of all ages find God. She is always striving to be that kind of role model for the little kids in and outside of academics and athletics, and she played a part in a couple of very special missions for those people who are going through some hard times in their lives.
“Faith is the foundation for everything. It helps guide us, no matter what age you are. No matter what someone’s going through, God always has the answer and can help people through it. Wherever/whoever you are, God will guide the way,” Nolen said. “It’s incredibly important to me. It’s something I always strive to be. My cheer team collected shoes to give to the less fortunate. It means a lot. I feel so much empathy when it comes to things like that. I also made baskets of hygiene products for people to anonymously take that I put in the school bathrooms when the SNAP program was cut. I feel like it’s important to help those in need if we live in abundance. God doesn’t bless us with things to be stingy. It’s to help others.”
She gave new people some advice when it comes to having a relationship with the Lord, and she does some special rituals at school, at home, and before they go onto the mat.
“My advice to them is to have faith, even when you have doubt. Don’t let anyone turn you away from God, even if they’re not being the best example of His love. Humans make mistakes, so don’t base your faith off of other people’s actions,” she said. “I pray before I go to sleep and during the moment of silence at school. Every time before we went out onto the competition mat, I repeat, ‘Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven,’ over and over to calm myself, and remember that whatever happens, it is His will.”
Maycie took away a very important lesson during her walk with God, and she leans on a very important Godly role model in her life.
“What I’ve learned during my journey so far is to trust His plan, even when it may not be the best option at the time, but I know I’ll look back and see that I’ve either learned or grown from it,” she said. “My role model is my mom. She’s always helping me with my walk with Christ, and any problem I have, she gives me Godly advice and prays for me.”
