Whitwell High School valedictorian Madison Dykes poses for a photo at the Whitwell High School football field Monday, June 3, 2019 in Whitwell, Tennessee.Madison Dykes cheered and volunteered her way through an exceptional run at Whitwell High School, culminating with her graduating in May as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA.
Dykes, now 18, was a sophomore the first time she won a spot on the All American Cheerleading squad. Through a rigorous Universal Cheerleading Association camp and audition process, Dykes was a sophomore the first time she was selected and traveled to London to cheer alongside about 1,000 other American cheerleaders.
“It was really a great experience, and I am so blessed to have gone,” Dykes said. “Not everyone gets that opportunity and it was really special.”
As a senior, Dykes duplicated the feat, earning yet another spot on the All American squad.
On top of cheerleading, school and four years of working for the school yearbook staff, Dykes has volunteered for the Children’s Holocaust Memorial at Whitwell Middle School and its Paperclips Project since eighth grade.