FORT ERIE, Ontario (BVM) — It used to be called cheerleading, now it’s more commonly called cheer. The name may not be familiar to many, but that doesn’t diminish the excitement and dedication that thousands of Canadians feel for an activity that dominates much of their young lives.

Kyla Reynolds knew at the age of 4 that she loved to dance and move. She was enrolled in a local dance studio in her hometown where she learned tap, ballet and jazz. It would be eight years later, in her final year of dance that her dance teacher noticed something wasn’t right with her posture. A brief doctor visit would leave Reynolds with a diagnosis of idiopathic scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. She needed to grow more physically before the doctors would consider surgery. The diagnosis wouldn’t stop her from joining the cheer squad at her high school.

At the young age of 16, Reynolds would undergo a 12 hour procedure where surgeons placed titanium rods into her spine, followed by a one week stay in the hospital and another month recovery at home. Cleared by her surgeon to continue with sports after six months, Reynolds was back with her team, ready to compete. Unable to bend her back, Reynolds was not able to tumble, the gymnastic component of cheerleading, luckily she was still able to stunt, jump and dance, which is just as important to the sport, says Reynolds.

Reynolds would cheer for Welland Centennial Secondary School for four years, competing in local, provincial and national competitions. They won national championships in her second year cheering. After graduating high school with honours, Reynolds decided the nursing program at Brock University would be best suited to her career choice in becoming a registered nurse.

Upon entering university, Reynolds immediately joined the cheer team and cheered her way through her first year as a nursing student while also hitting the books, before deciding to switch to All-Star Cheerleading with the Niagara Scorpions gym. Reynolds is now a cheer coach for the mini-level one team at the gym.

Now 22, Reynolds said she has solid plans to continue coaching, and added without hesitation, “Nothing beats the feeling of watching these young athletes grow to love the sport that I love too. Although life will get busier with my new career as an RN, I will always make time for the things I love!”

Reynolds believes wholeheartedly that cheerleading has made an impact not only on her career choice, but also the person she has become.

“I believe cheer has absolutely had an impact in my career choice as a nurse,” Reynolds said. “Working together collaboratively as a team is very important in both cheer and nursing. I think coaching as well has allowed me to gain the leadership skills that I will need as a future nurse”.

She is on track to graduate in early June, but like thousands of other Canadians, dates are being pushed back due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Reynolds says she is not as concerned about her graduation as she is eager to get out there and start helping people on the frontlines with all the other healthcare staff working tirelessly during this unprecedented time.