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Willis' Molly McCollum
HOME GIRL: McCollum's bright future is ahead of her
“I moved from Conroe before high school, and it was an adjustment,” she said. “I love Willis High School, because of the small-town feel. I love the people and the community. It feels very personal here at Willis.”
McCollum has been in the Willis cheer program for four years and has been a captain for two years.
“Cheering is really fun, and I love being the face our of program in and outside of the community,” she said. “I’ve learned so much, like how to be a true leader. I’ve learned how to teach and listen to others. Cheer has opened me up to learning new things and taking constructive criticism. It’s like a big family.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
She is the baby of her big family... filled with siblings, cousins and aunts and uncles who have been wildly successful.
“I’ve always been really mature because I’ve always been around older people,” she said. “I’ve grown up old, if that makes sense. It has taught me how to listen and think things through, before I speak.
“All of my family are also entrepreneurs and own their own businesses. I definitely look up to them and they have showed me what work ethic looks like. My goal in life is to follow in their footsteps and surpass the goals I’ve set out for myself.”
McCollum is much more than pom-poms and sign painting. She has a pair of career paths she is looking towards... heading to Texas A&M to pursue communications or starting a cosmetology business.
“I want to manage social media for a professional or college sports team,” she said. “I love creating content and growing my platform. I could also do something with cosmetology because it is such growing field. Either way, I want to own my own business.
“My cosmetology path always helps me think about my future. It really prepares me for starting a business, because you get real-world experience on a day-to-day basis.”
As her high school days wind down, McCollum looks back fondly on her time inside the hallways of Willis.
It’s always been about the people.
“My high school counselor Cindy Atkinson had such a huge influence on my path,” she said. “I look up to her so much because she has helped me learn more about myself over the years.”
It’s not always about the books, it’s about the experience.
For McCollum, Willis High has been home.
Goose Creek Memorial's Lily Warner
ATTENTION!: Warner building life to live out dream
“I love cheer,” she laughed. “It’s a great community and keeps you very involved in school... and it’s fun. It teaches teamwork. With 13 girls, you have to learn to work with people that you may or may not hang out with. There are always going to be issues and you have to learn how to resolve problems and balance personalities.”
2024-25 Goose Creek Memorial CheerJamey Wright (VYPE)
Warner is also a lifer in choir, her first love dating back to the fifth grade. She can also pivot into a business suit as a senior ambassador in the Patriots’ Global Business Academy.
“You have to learn how to sell yourself,” she said. “Kids need to learn how to network, meet influential people and get out of their comfort zones, which will help them in the future.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Speaking of the future, Warner is on path to reach new heights. “I want to be a pilot, and I want to start in the Air Force,” she said. “My brother was a Marine and I learned about life on the base when we visited him. It was really cool. It’s a great way to live out my dream.”
When not cheering, singing, hanging out with friends or building business connections, Warner is listening to Frank Ocean and watching New Girl and Bridgerton.
“I just want to be remembered as a fun person to be around,” she said. “You know, the life of the party.”