Success doesn’t come easy. It comes with hard work, commitment, and sacrifice. Emma Kate Graham is a junior at Ponca City High School and her hard work is paying off. She is the varsity cheer captain and has been a part of the team for four years. She has spent 14 years on the All-Star cheer team where she is a solid flyer and a very strong tumbler. She also has been a member of the PO-HI Symphony orchestra for 7 years where she plays the violin. 

Emma says one of her biggest role models is Kristi Shaw, her All-Star coach.

“She is a strong, compassionate, and hardworking woman. She has encouraged, believed and pushed me to do my best and to always keep improving”. 

For Emma, one of her greatest accomplishments has to be her two NCA Nationals wins and then winning The Summit. Coach Shaw has taught her that no matter what life throws at you, you are in charge of what to make of it and to never settle for less than what is deserved. 

One of Emma’s favorite teachers is Paula Cochran for teaching her how to be a better person inside and outside of school.

“She truly cares about all of her students and encourages them to be the best versions of themselves. She reminds us daily to always be kind,” Graham says. 

“To be a successful athlete you can never quit working on yourself or trying to improve your skills and learn new things,”  Emma says. “Cheer requires you to be not only physically strong, but also mentally.”