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RACHEL SHAPIRO
FROM THE MIDWEST TO THE WEST COAST
KANSAS
I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Overland Park, Kansas. I grew up the youngest of four, and being the youngest came with its perks. I constantly look up to my older siblings and learn from them. As kids, we always made our own fun by playing sports and being creative. I truly love having so many siblings because we were always up to something, and trust me we were never bored, although I'm sure our parents wish we were at times. Being from Kansas City, my whole family and I are loyal Chiefs and Royals fans who enjoyed going to the games each season. At a young age, my love for sports was introduced. Beginning in kindergarten I joined a softball team, and a couple of years following I decided to add competitive cheerleading into the mix. By the time I was 11, I was on the most advanced All-Star team, surrounded by athletes almost twice my age. Competing at this level was an honor at such a young age but it definitely taught me to mature much quicker than my peers.
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ARIZONA
Fast forward 14 years... 2015 was a significant move for my sister Kylie and me. We decided to follow my mom out West to Arizona after living in Kansas our whole life. AZ has always been my home away from home. Ever since I was little we would visit for the holidays to spend time with family, and open gifts on Christmas morning at my Aunt's house. So, moving was a big change, but nothing too unfamiliar. For the next four years, we attended high school where I continued my cheerleading career by joining a team and meeting some of my best friends. As a freshman, I made the Varsity cheer squad and became the first and only athlete at the school to have a standing full executed in the routine, and I still hold that title today. Aside from cheer, living in AZ, allowed me to hike, go to the lake a lot more, and see some pretty spectacular views. Throughout my years of living in there, I got to know the city better, travel more, and create some unforgettable memories.
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When it came time to apply for college, I knew my top school choice was somewhere on the west coast. After applying to and visiting several different schools, my heart was set on San Diego State University. I began my first year as a terrified 18-year-old girl trying to be brave in a new state where she didn't know a single soul. Unfortunately due to timing issues and Covid my first-year plans to try out for the SDSU cheer team fell through. As much as this crushed me I hope to return to the sport soon, as a coach. Not having that social aspect to lean on as I did in high school, I decided to join Delta Gamma and share a dorm with a complete stranger who is now, years later one of my closest friends. I've been here for four years and I truly have met some spectacular people along the way who with be in my life forever. Now being a senior, and looking back I don't think I could've picked a better place to attend college, and am so glad I took the petrifying leap to get out of my comfort zone because that's where the best things take place.
CALIFORNIA
