News : VSHS cheerleader Emma Horst chosen for UNI squad

Emma helps lead a cheer at VSHS.

Emma Horst gets a lift from a UNI cheerleader at tryouts on the college campus.

VSHS cheerleader Emma Horst and her coaches are celebrating her selection to the UNI squad.

Emma, right, with other VSHS cheerleaders.

Emma, in a light-hearted moment with big sister, Megan.

Emma Horst’s high school cheerleading coaches are not at all surprised that she has made an NCAA Division 1 cheerleading squad.

“Emma was made for cheerleading,” says current VSHS cheerleading coach Randi Walker. “With her perfect motions and positive attitude she makes cheering look easy.”

Emma, the daughter of Gerald and Marcy Horst, will join the cheerleading squad at the University of Northern Iowa as a freshman in the fall. She recently earned a spot at tryouts at the UNI campus.

“Although Emma makes it look easy, she works very hard to accomplish what is asked of her,” says Coach Walker. “I knew that with her determination and hard work it wasn't a question of if she would make the squad but what squad she would make.”

Emma looks forward to this collegiate opportunity, and also looks forward to helping future VSHS cheerleaders.

“I'm really excited for next year and can't wait to come home and share what I learn with our VS cheerleaders,” she said. “The UNI cheer coach, Nikki Green, is a great motivator and I think I'm going to learn a lot from her and the program.”

Krystal Fitzpatrick was the VSHS cheerleading coach when Emma – after years of dancing with the Cooling Dancers – decided to try out for cheerleading at the end of her freshman year of high school.

“Although she had a dance background (which was helpful), there was so much for her to learn and often change,” recalls Coach Fitzpatrick.

Emma had to first learn to make her style more “cheer,” says her first coach.

“She was always willing to learn, take any sort of criticism that I could give her, and often change her ways,” recalls Fitzpatrick. “She was a very hard worker and gave 100% at every practice. She came and left with a smile on her face, always had a positive attitude, and was a major motivator for the team.”

Last year, in her second year as a VSHS cheerleader, Emma earned “Most Spirited” and “MVP” awards. She was also on the first VSHS competition squad to compete in the Iowa High School Cheer Championships, as well as an Honor Squad Cheerleader (cheerleaders selected by their coaches to perform with more than 200 other IA HS cheerleaders during the state football playoffs).