It’s been a memorable past 12 months for Montezuma-Cortez senior Emily Howell.
At the end of 2023, the then-junior joined a Panthers cheer squad that accomplished a groundbreaking feat – qualifying for the finals of the state cheer competition. Now, with another chance to perform at one more state championship on the horizon, Howell formally committed her future in cheer to Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.
The two-sport athlete – also a starting midfielder on the Panthers soccer team – wasn’t sure what her future held, but settled on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics institution while looking to continue a sport for which she’s gained an affinity in the past four years.
“It was a difficult decision, because my original goal was definitely to keep playing soccer,” said Howell, “but it felt like God’s plan, because I ended up at Friends, and after meeting with the cheer coach, I just knew that it was what I wanted to do.”
Howell and the Panthers cheer team, competing under coach Emily Baumgartner, broke through the 3A All-Girl Cheer division late last year, taking fourth overall in the state finals. In signing with Friends, Howell broke another barrier, becoming the first Panther to officially sign to compete in cheer at the collegiate level.
“That state experience is hard to describe – it’s so fun to know that our team was the first ever in school history to make it to that level,” said Howell. “When we heard our team name announced that we had made finals, my heart dropped … and to do it with my best friends was just incredible.”
For Howell, the journey began in her early years of gymnastics, setting the foundation for her passion and proficiency at carrying out all the mind-bending stunts as part of the cheer squad.
“I did competitive gymnastics for Gold Cup in Albuquerque and Durango,” said Howell. “But after I stepped away in middle school, I started back again my freshman year because I had all the tumbling background, My strong suit is definitely my stunting and tumbling.”
The fit with Friends, as well as her capacity to pursue one of her other passions – cosmetology – seemed like a match right from the start. Learning from Baumgartner, who owns her own beauty salon in Cortez, proved to be an inspiration for Howell, and a catalyst for her postsecondary pursuits.
“Emily (Baumgartner) has been like a second mom for me – I work with her at her hair salon,” said Howell.
Howell also takes on a leadership role with the M-CHS soccer team, where her midfield play guided the Panthers to a pair of league titles in the past three years. While the decision to choose cheer over soccer came with trepidation, Howell looks forward to continuing to take on her passion for athletics to another level.
“I love the drive, and I love my teammates,” added Howell. “They push me to be better every day – I know that they’re always going to have my back, and I’ll always have theirs.”
