It’s a steamy Friday night in stadiums across Texas. Cheerleaders are yelling for the football game, the band blasts music and student sections have gone wild. Each person has their, singular job. Except for one. She drops her poms and sprints to the field for the halftime performance.
Junior Lyndon Nickerson holds both of her passions to the highest standard. Not only is she a power tumbler for varsity cheer, but she is also the band’s personal cheerleader.
Nickerson is a performer and a musician. During the chaos of football games, she plays the flute, and performs on the sidelines, while laughing through the fun of these games.
“Throughout middle school, I was told daily that I’d have to choose between the things I love. Cheer or band, Cheer or band, Cheer or band,” Nickerson said. “Being able to do both sets me apart from the others. Focusing on just one wouldn’t let me explore other opportunities. “
Although both sports require her to practice daily, she manages to enjoy doing both of her sports every day regardless of the exhausting practices, and personal training she has to do.
“Going to marching band practices every day, cheering during football games, and attending Saturday marching band competitions doesn’t leave me with much free time,” Nickerson said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. I enjoy always having something to do each day, something I look forward to doing.”
Though she’s busy with her hobbies in high school she finds a way to not let her academics stumble so she can get into her top college choices.
“I hope to attend Howard, LSU, The University of Texas, or Duke. I hope to become an anesthesiologist or a radiologist. But if life goes a different direction I’d love it to steer me to marine biology,” Nickerson said.
Her passions for both band and cheer extend beyond high school as she wishes to pursue either of her passions.
“I would love to participate in either cheer or band at the universities I wish to attend,” Nickerson said. “My goal is to be a part of the University of Texas band and/or cheer program or LSU’s band and/or cheer program,”
Balancing difficult tasks can be challenging for many, but it is something Nickerson manages effectively. She said she is grateful for her directors, her coaches and everyone who’s in her life who supports her.
“Thanks to my incredible directors and cheer coach, I can participate in two of the best organizations at Klein Oak,” Nickerson said. “It makes me proud that we have directors and teachers here at Oak that support our different passions in life no matter what they are.”
With the shiny silver flute, the black and gold pom poms, the slick Oak cheer uniform, and the stiff band uniform she looks up to her mother for guidance and inspiration.
“I admire my mom because she raised me on her own and is the strongest person I know, she did this when I was three and she was working full-time as principal. Despite her busy schedule, she always made time for me to participate in cheer and band,” Nickerson said.
Regardless of Nickerson’s mom’s busy schedule, Nickerson is proud of her and her achievements.
“Every day, she makes me even more proud with her achievements and the dedication she shows to the students she works with,” Nickerson said. “She was a gymnast and in the band during high school; I guess I’m following in her footsteps and that makes me proud.”
Besides being involved in school and always being busy, Nickerson’s personality has never faded from the start.
“I would describe Lyndon as an extremely hardworking student. She manages to involve herself deeply in both band and cheer while still keeping her academics in good standing,” assistant band director Jesus Burciaga said.
Nickerson said she also likes to try to bring the friends in her two worlds together.
“I remember trying to teach one of my band friends a cheer dance with my pom-poms before a game, then when I looked up I saw them trying to dance in the stands. It was hilarious. Moments like those make me happy that I didn’t have to choose,” Nickerson said.
Although she’s swamped, she said she always finds time to talk to God and connect with Him through sports and life.
“Without God, I wouldn’t be as blessed as I am,” Nickerson said. “I involve Him in everything I do because He guides me and knows what’s best for me. During the toughest times of my life, He’s always been there, reminding me that I am capable of anything.”
