Alyssa Hughes Does It All

Alyssa+Hughes+during+Senior+Cheerleading+Recognition.

Sarah McElfresh

Alyssa Hughes during Senior Cheerleading Recognition.

Alyssa Hughes, Class of 22, has managed her time between being a captain of the cheer team, a drum major of the Marching Band, and Homecoming Court Royalty. The school year has just begun and Hughes has already made a significant impact on her school and fellow peers.

Saturday, October 23, the day of Menchville’s homecoming game, Alyssa was needed prior to the game at the school for the band’s senior recognition ceremony and pre-game preparations. Subsequently, she headed to Todd Stadium with Carly Queen, a sophomore cheerleader, and band musician. Queen said, “I admire her personality and she always knows how to make me laugh, and she has inspired me to try and become drum major in band.”

Alyssa conducted cheers for Menchville’s varsity cheerleaders alongside co-cheer captain Sophie Adkins at Todd Stadium. At halftime, she joined Ian Carlton, the other drum major, in conducting the Marching Band’s shortened halftime show. She changed into her fancy attire following their performance and appeared on the track field next to Skylar Rawls awaiting the announcement of their homecoming royalty nominations. Alyssa said she was excited to represent her class. After her homecoming court victory, she changed back into her cheer attire and returned to leading cheers for the cheer team.

Hughes said that her “joy for cheering and playing [her] instrument motivated” her to take leadership roles in her school activities. She admires her cheer coach and band director because “they pushed [her] to be the best cheerleader and musician with their guidance.” She described her ability to balance home football games where she leads the cheer team during the game and the band during halftime is what makes her feel most accomplished.

Outside of school, Alyssa dedicates her time toward competitive cheer at Fame Allstars and working at Olive Garden. Alyssa plans to attend Virginia Tech to major in biology and eventually, pursue a career in dentistry.  Her dedication to the school and community while maintaining her grades demonstrates why she is one of many Menchville students who are exemplary models of Monarch Pride.