The path from a living room routine imitator to a mentor taking center stage is a tale of resilience and dedication as Navon Wheaton, a Chapin High School alum, lands a coveted spot on the National Cheer Association's (NCA) staff for the Southwest Region. Wheaton’s love for the sport of cheerleading started young, copying his sister's movements on their living room rug before his vaults and tumbles captured the eye of a coach who saw his potential, eluding cheerleading's gender norms, and securing his place on an All-Star team, as per an article by El Paso ISD.
Despite the headwinds of skepticism and the stigma attached to male cheerleaders, Wheaton's high school endeavor was marked by an evolution into an unwavering cheerleader, one bolstered by the cheer coach of his senior year, Krystle McClain, and a network of family believers, "I would come home from work and see him doing a cartwheel," his mother recounted, as per El Paso ISD interview, noting his technique, "He had the straightest legs." It was indeed Wheaton's mother who was approached about involving him in structured cheerleading. That decision has since unfolded into opportunities that trespass local boundaries for Navon Wheaton.
An arduous application process did little to deter Wheaton, who emerged victorious, achieving the honor of joining the NCA staff. "Getting accepted to NCA was a dream come true," Wheaton told El Paso ISD. "It was one of those moments where all my hard work felt worth it. I couldn’t wait to share the news with my family." His role with the NCA this summer will see him traversing the southwest, teaching and inspiring high school cheer teams, a testament to his growth and influence in the sport.
