By CFNN Reporter Lilly Jordan

For senior Soleil Knaff, cheerleading has been about more than just performing on the sidelines. Throughout her four years at Cape Fear High School, she has made lifelong friendships, grown as an athlete, and created memories she will never forget. This year, she added another special moment to her high school experience when she was crowned Cape Fear’s Homecoming Queen.

Knaff first became interested in cheerleading during her freshman year when she saw the cheer team practicing outside. She thought it looked cool, so she decided to give it a try. Four years later, cheerleading has become a big part of her life at Cape Fear.

“My favorite part is being with my teammates and forming so many bonds and friendships I never thought would happen,” Knaff said.

One of Knaff’s biggest accomplishments has been seeing how much her stunt group has grown. Cheerleading takes teamwork and patience, and even when practices get frustrating, she and her teammates find ways to keep each other motivated.

“We keep each other motivated by taking things one step at a time no matter how frustrating cheer may be at the moment,” Soleil said.

Her coach, Mrs. Kelly Osornio, has also noticed her determination to work through challenges instead of giving up when something does not go as planned.

“I love that drive about her, that she’s going to be determined, and whatever’s not working, she’s gonna figure out what it is, and then make it work,” Osornio said.

Like any athlete, Knaff has had moments when cheerleading gets difficult. When things get frustrating, she reminds herself why she started and how far she has come since freshman year.

“I just take a second and remember little freshman me and how proud she would be of where I am today,” Knaff said.

Some of Knaff’s favorite memories have happened outside of practices and games. One of her favorites was a Christmas sleepover with her teammates last year, where they made memories she will always look back on. She also loves the team’s bigs and littles tradition because it helps everyone form closer connections.

For Knaff, being a cheerleader is about more than just performing on the sidelines. She enjoys representing Cape Fear at football games and making sure people feel included, even if she does not know them personally.

Her friend and teammate Bailey Lilge sees these same qualities in her.

“She is great at taking charge in a situation,” Lilge said.

Lilge also admires Soleil’s honesty and thinks it is one of the things that makes her such a good friend.

“No matter what, she will tell you the truth, and I think that is what makes her a great friend,” Lilge said.

Along with cheerleading, Knaff had another big moment this year when she was crowned Homecoming Queen. Even though she never expected to win, it quickly became one of the highlights of her senior year.

“It honestly felt very surreal because I was the last person I thought would win something like that,” Knaff said. “But hearing everyone cheering was definitely a highlight of my senior year.”

Knaff said she feels honored that her peers chose her for the title. She tries her best to maintain a positive image, so knowing that other students saw her as someone deserving of the crown meant a lot to her. The first person she wanted to share the news with was her boyfriend, who she described as her best friend and someone who is always happy for her.

Outside of the crowning ceremony, her favorite part of Homecoming Week was dressing up for the different spirit days. However, balancing schoolwork with cheerleading can be challenging, especially when practices start at 6 a.m. every day. To manage everything, she tries to finish her homework, make time for herself and get to bed at a reasonable time.

After graduation, Knaff plans to attend college before joining the Air Force. Looking back on her high school experience, she said she would tell her freshman self that things will work out, even if they do not happen the way she expects.

“I would tell her everything is going to work out in the most unexpected way possible,” Knaff said.

For anyone thinking about joining cheerleading, Knaff encourages them to go for it. She believes the friendships and experiences make all the hard work worth it.

“It is such an amazing experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world, and it will change your high school experience for the better,” Knaff said.

From improving her stunts to supporting the Colts on Friday nights, Knaff has made the most of her four years as a cheerleader. Being crowned Homecoming Queen is another special memory she will take with her after graduation. As she looks toward college and the Air Force, the friendships she has made and the experiences she has had at Cape Fear will always be a part of her high school story.