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Andalusia High School senior Taylor Sasser achieved a lifelong dream and made a cheerleading commitment to the next level with the University of Mobile on Wednesday, April 20.

“I am beyond grateful for this opportunity because I have always wanted to be a college cheerleader. For the longest time, everyone didn’t think I would be able to. That was until I pushed myself to be better and strived to fulfill this dream of mine. I am looking forward to meeting new people and starting fresh and building a relationship with the UM squad,” Sasser said. “Once I became a senior, I knew in my heart that this was a part of me I wasn’t ready to let go of yet.”

She began cheering when she was eight and ended one chapter this school year.

“I continued throughout my years in middle school and high school. I have always loved the energy cheerleaders bring as well as the representation of the school spirit they have. I will miss the atmosphere of the Friday night lights and cheering on the Bulldogs. I learned how to become a leader of a team and learned how to work together with fellow peers. My biggest highlight at Andalusia was when I was the co-captain of the cheer team my senior year.”

Former Andalusia Cheer Coach Candace Smith spoke on Sasser’s contributions to the Bulldogs.

“Taylor always showed hard work and dedication with her teammates and followed my expectations. She has always shown patience and persistence and is confident, hard-working, loving, and God-fearing. Despite any failures we faced as a team, she always strived to find a way to continue to get up, especially in the face of adversity. I know she will make an amazing athlete at the college level. She left a huge impact on my life that I will cherish and is so deserving of this role in this new chapter of her life. She was always willing to put in the sweat, love, and tears into this team. She adjusted when she needed to in certain situations, and I am truly proud of Taylor.”

Sasser added that when she was younger, she looked up to the older cheerleaders. “I told myself that I would someday be one. When I did, I knew that I would always have little eyes watching. I love how the little girls look up to me. It brings me so much joy when I see all their faces light up with joy when they see me.”

She knows the importance of cheerleaders representing their school in a positive manner.

“We have to show other people they can see our school is the best and be a good role model for other people.”

Receiving support from loved ones carries a lot of significance to Sasser. “The fact that my family is here for me and supporting my dreams means the absolute world to me. I couldn’t thank them enough for what they have done to help me accomplish my dreams. Thank you to all my family who helped me and mentored me throughout my years. I can’t wait to see what God does for me in this next chapter in my life,” she said.

She said the biggest influence in her life is her grandmother, Pam Bond. “She always tells me that I can be anything my heart desires. She teaches me how to be a woman of God and always keeps God first. I admire her and hope one day I am just like her.”

She is the daughter of Greg and Ashley Turner with a brother, Carter, and a sister, Sawyer. Sasser will graduate from Andalusia High School on Friday, May 20, 2022.

“We are ready to have Taylor join us. She is a super strong base, who clicked with the team right away. I think she will be a great addition to us. She has a great attitude, and we are really looking forward to having her as part of our competitive team next year,” said UM Head Coach Kami Whiteis.