Lauren Barefoot, to cheer for Campbell's Fighting Camels this fall
Lauren Leigh Barefoot, a 2008 graduate of Midway High School, Class of 2008 will be in the Class of 2012 at Campbell University as she enters as a freshman this fall. She is quite a remarkable young lady. Lauren has recently been notified she will receive the Presidential Transfer Scholarship to Campbell University for $40,000.
Barefoot’s parents are Martin and Angela Barefoot. Lauren one brother, Blake, who is 12 years old and is in seventh grade at Midway Middle.
Lauren has been involved in Cheerleading for eight years. Cheering in elementary school at Plain View, Midway Middle during seventh and eighth grade and was a varsity cheerleader at Midway High School my freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year. “There is so many things I love about cheerleading. First of all, cheerleading is a sport that is very demanding and takes a lot of time, but it’s worth every second of it. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It consists of many workouts, practices, and cheering at football and basketball games. I love what we, as cheerleaders, represent – our school. A cheerleading squad becomes like family. We show pride and offer encouragement. I enjoy everything that’s involved with cheerleading including; cheering, dancing, tumbling, and stunting,” said Lauren.
Barefoot is planning to major in pre-professional Biology at Campbell . When she graduates from CU she wants to attend medical school. As of now, she plans on becoming a physician assistant. “My passion is helping others,” shares Lauren.
The most influential person Lauren in sports is her high school cheerleading coach, Sabrina Reeves. “She was more than just a wonderful coach, she became like a second mom to me. She pushed me to be all that I can be. She had faith in me that made me try harder. Sometimes, I think she believed in me more than I did. I respect her and thank her for helping me to get to where I am today. She knew how great my love for cheerleading was just as much as I did, and that’s why I believe she pushed me like she did. She taught me life lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” expressed Barefoot.
Lauren states that her parents are the most influential people in her life. “They are my number one fans and supporters in all that I do. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Barefoot is a member of Stoney Run PFWB church and is a very involved and active individual. Lauren was Senior Class President and Beta Club President as well as Miss Spivey’s Corner Outstanding Teen 2007.
In response to the question, What advise would you give to your peers?, Lauren responded, “Remember the saying, ‘No dream is too big, no dreamer to small.’ Well, when I first started cheerleading when I was young, I never imagined that I would one day be cheering for a university. Believe in your dreams and never give up. You never know where life will take you. And like Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’ We all have the power to determine our futures. It’s like writing your own book, your own life story.”
“I can say I’ve had many memorable moments throughout my history of cheerleading. I’ve had a broken knee, two broken hands, and other bumps and bruises along the way. However, I overcame every obstacle and continued my love of cheerleading. I guess that would explain why I received the “Perseverance” Spotlight award, given by the faculty of Midway High School. I’ll never forget being in middle school and trying out for high school cheerleading. I was so nervous. It was like a dream come true when I found out, I not only made the squad, but made varsity. I was one of the first freshmen to make the varsity cheerleading squad at Midway,” remembered Lauren. Another memorable moment for Lauren at the Midway Athletic Banquet. She received the “Female Athlete of the Year” Award, given in memory of Angie Matthews. “This was such a great honor because I was the first cheerleader in the history of Midway High to receive this award,” said Barefoot.
Lauren loves doing pageants, and hopes to be Miss North Carolina one day. She was Miss Spivey’s Corner Outstanding Teen 2007. Lauren donated 11 inches of hair to locks of love. She has taken dance since she was four. She also takes gymnastics and loves wake boarding. Lauren is a graduate of Barbizon Modeling and Acting of Raleigh. She was also on the homecoming court her junior and senior years.
Barefoot says she does not have a particular favorite subject in school but likes Math and English. Lauren likes anything that’s interesting and involves learning new things.
In listing people she wished to express thanks to for helping her to get where she is today, Lauren said the following: “To my parents and brother, Blake, without your support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. You always believed in me and told me to follow my dreams. Well, I have and now I’m going to Campbell University to continue cheerleading and my education. Thank you for everything. To my family, grandparents, Buddy and Barbara Barefoot, grandmother, Martha Barefoot, thanks for your support and believing in me. To Sabrina Reeves, Cheerleading wouldn’t be the same without you and neither would my life. You taught me to be all I can be and give it everything I got. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me. To the Midway High School and it’s staff, It’s been such a pleasure being able to cheer for Midway all my high school years. Thank you for preparing me for my future and opening up new gateways in my life. We were the last class to graduate from the old Midway High School, and I’ve had many unforgettable memories there. To the cheerleading coach at Campbell University, Lisa Stewart, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to further my cheerleading career at Campbell. I’m looking forward to the 2008-2009 year.”
Lauren concludes by saying, "Every story has an end, but in life, every end is just a new beginning. As a graduated senior from Midway High School and an upcoming freshman at Campbell University, one chapter of my life has closed as one is only just beginning. I am a very determined and ambitious young woman who has set many goals in my life that I wish to accomplish. I love to volunteer and help others. I have learned that a helping hand can go a long way. I plan on getting EMT Certified so I can continue to help my community by being a volunteer at the Rescue or Fire Department. It’s very important to me to be a good role model. I’ll never forget what it felt like when a little girl came up to me and said ‘I want to be just like you when I grow up.’ It will definitely make you think and realize just how important it is to set good examples for others. I want to continue being in pageants. Although cheerleading was such a major part of my life, I still somehow managed to put school first. I took honors classes and was very active in my school. I was senior Class President, Beta Club President, in The National Honors Society (CTEHS), a North Carolina Scholar, and an active member of many school clubs. I received many awards throughout high school. I graduated in the top 10 percent of my class. I was actually an early graduate. When I finished up in January, it was straight to college. I went to Wilmington and attended CFCC. I wanted to complete some basic courses. I finished up in May with all A’s in my classes and was on the Honors List. My passion for helping others in inevitable. I know it's going to be hard, but if anyone can do it, it's me. When I put my mind to something, it will get accomplished. I'm very goal-oriented, determined, and ambitious. I just put my faith in God, and let him lead my way. I want to do all I can do and be all I can be… I want to make a difference in the world. That’s my dream… that’s my aspiration.”
Courtesy of: www.clintonnc.com
