Bailey Crocker: a brilliant student and a gifted dancer. Crocker, a senior, is a  member of the varsity pom team. This new elite group of 17 dancers placed seventh at the USA Qualifiers in the advanced category. This year  they plan to achieve more with Crocker on their side.

Crocker always wanted to be a cheerleader. Dance was always a part of her life as she loves to dance and entertain others. Before high school, Crocker was a competitive dancer at a studio and performed in endless dance shows.When she moved to Perry freshman year, she tried out for the cheer team and made the cut.

Crocker unfortunately suffers from scoliosis, which means cheer has been a challenge for her. As the stunts got more advanced in cheer, Crocker’s back pain dramatically increased. Nevertheless she made the varsity cheer team sophomore year. When the pom team was formed her junior year, Crocker decided it would be easier on her back to dance and twirl than stunts.

“I struggle from the pain really bad…I’ve learned to just tolerate it but the more crazy practice gets, and the more demanding Pom is on my back, the worse it gets,” she said.

Crocker visits a chiropractor once a week and a doctor depending on how intense practice is. Since then she has pushed through and exceeded the expectations of her peers and has a spot on the varsity pom team.

“Pom is not just a hobby,” Crocker said. “[Pom] requires hard work and dedication and it teaches responsibility. It’s given me something to be passionate about and pom gave me a second family.”

Vanessa Padilla, who has been cheering since freshman year with Crocker, said, “I love having Bailey on the team, she always knows how to motivate the team and she is such a hard worker.”

Crocker has remarkable plans for her future. She is going to pursue pom at the collegiate level and is excited about it. She’s gotten numerous offers and calls from pom coaches around the US, but Crocker plans on attending Arizona State’s W.P Carey School of Business to pursue degrees in business entrepreneurship and event planning.

“I’m not concerned that my applications will be a problem, I exceeded all requirements and am confident about them,” she says.

Crocker is proof that rewards come to those who are dedicated and hardworking. With her condition, she still pulls through for her team and rises to the top.