Smith has cheered since she was able to walk

Campbell High’s Kilyn Smith cheered at last night’s Halls games and will sign college scholarship papers today

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- For 15 years, Kilyn Smith’s been shaking poms poms and shouting cheers. Though the colors of the pom poms and school names and nicknames have changed over the years, Smith’s not going to have to change colors at her next stop; Carson-Newman University.

TOP PHOTO: Kilyn Smith at Tuesday’s Campbell-Halls basketball game. (PHOTO COURTESY OF WLAF’S ALI BRADEN) 

The Campbell High Senior has become accustomed to the Orange-n-Blue of the Cougars, and those colors won’t change when she cheers for the C-N Eagles beginning next school year. At 10am today, she’ll put pen to paper making it official that she’ll cheer for C-N.

“I’ve visited campus four times, and I love it. Everyone on the whole cheer team has been so welcoming,” said Smith. For her, C-N being a Christ centered university is key. Smith plans to major in nursing.

Family friend Jennifer Shoffner, along with Betty Hatcher, grandmother to Smith, began attending Valley View basketball games early in Kilyn’s cheer career. “It makes me feel like I’m a very important person and gives me another reason to smile,” said Smith.

“I cheer for my family. They take pride in me. And, of course, Jennifer, is my big inspiration,” said Smith. Smith has cheered for the Little League Football Cougars, at Valley View Elementary, La Follette Middle, and Campbell County High Schools, and Shoffner has followed her all along.

Next stop. Jefferson City, Tennessee. Shouting “Go! Eagles!” may take some getting used to for the former La Follette Owl. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-01/29/2025-6AM)