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HOME GIRL: McCollum's bright future is ahead of her
MOLLY MCCOLLUM IS “HER”.
The Willis senior has been a great ambassador for the purple and white since arriving on the high school campus.
“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.
CHANGE OF DIRECTION: McCollum has had a interesting high school ride
It was by pure chance that Madi McCollum got into cheerleading.
"My sophomore year, I was sitting in math class and my teacher was the assistant cheer coach," she laughed. "The head cheer coach came in to talk to her and looked at me and said, 'you need to try out for cheer'."
I thought, I'm not a cheerleader but told my mom after school and she said I should really do it. I worked really hard and tried out. I didn't think I would make it, but I did and have fallen in love with the girls and my coaches ever since."
McCollum had just moved over from Legacy Prep where she played volleyball but had to turn in her tights and jersey.
"I had played volleyball since the sixth grade and it was my heart and soul," she said. "My knees just couldn't handle it and after a few injuries I had to give up the sport. It was tough and I was kind of doing nothing in the fall and that is when I went for it and tried cheer."
When she's not rooting on the Wildkats, you can find her on the golf course or on a plane.
"My dad is really into golf and I used to go out with him when I was little to the course for fun," she said. "In the sixth grade, he thought I should go out for the golf team and I was like, you are joking. I did and was naturally pretty good, so I stuck with it. I've been playing varsity golf ever since I've been in high school.
"When I'm not playing golf, I'm usually traveling."
Changing schools, giving up her favorite sport and trying a new one, McCollum gives some sage advice to girls heading into the high school hallways.
"Don't care what people think about you and just enjoy the experience," she said. "Try new things, don't get caught up in little, stupid drama and have a good time."
Period.