Courtney Ballard and Nevaeh Lara became trailblazers this week as the first two members of the Golden Valley High stunt team to receive scholarships. Ballard and Lara officially signed with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, keeping the two best friends and teammates together as they head to college. 

 

“I’m scared, but excited,” said Ballard, as she proudly wore her Westmont College sweatshirt as she posed for photos with her family, Lara and coaches during a signing ceremony held at the school. 

 

The Cougars duo is forging ahead together and they wouldn’t want it any other way. “I probably wouldn’t have taken this opportunity without her because it’s so far away from home,” Lara said. “I’m glad Courtney is going with me.” Ballard agreed. “I know I wouldn’t have gone without Navaeh,” she said. “She pushed me to sign and commit to this school. It’s a very nice school.”

 

Ballard and Lara have become leaders as members of the Golden Valley stunt team. They’ve basically become two extra coaches, helping their teammates learn routines and get their stunts down. “These girls help us coach and go above and beyond to make sure that the whole team is successful and not just their own stunt group,” said Golden Valley stunt coach Nancy Medina. “Their work ethic is incredible.”

 

Fellow GV stunt coach Ashley Barnett was a senior in 2019 when stunt teams came to the Merced Union High School District. Barnett hopes more athletes will see Ballard and Lara using the sport as an avenue to higher education.  “It’s very exciting for us as coaches and our program,” Barnett said. “I think a lot of athletes don’t recognize that there is an opportunity to get scholarships and I really wanted to push that. I want more girls to feel that cheer is a gateway, which leads to stunt, which can lead to college scholarships.”

 

This opportunity didn’t come without work. Ballard and Lara worked hard on their craft, spending many hours working on technique. “I feel like you have to be motivated because you have to push yourself through things because no matter how hard you try, you’re never going to hit it the first time,” Lara said. 

 

Ballard says that’s why it’s been so important to make this journey with a friend like Lara. “It takes a lot of time and commitment, growing with each other, being with each other through the ups and downs, being with each other through the bads and the goods, pushing through,” Ballard said.

 

Both of them say having that support system already in place when they venture off to college will be crucial. Both have already formed strong bonds with their future coach. Ballard hopes to study education and Lara want to study pre-med. Both are thankful for the opportunity that participating in stunt has provided them. “It really is special,” Lara said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to pursue what I want to and bring better things for myself. It feels real now.”

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.