Savannah Minchey

Savannah Minchey is enjoying every second of life whether she’s leading chants under Friday night lights, comforting hospital ER patients, or representing her peers as class president. 

Especially when she’s cheerleading. 

The Tavares High School senior has spent the last six years perfecting her craft as a competitive cheerleader. She first discovered her love for the sport in sixth grade when she was looking for an activity to get involved in. What started as curiosity quickly turned into passion and eventually, leadership. Today, she proudly serves as the captain of the Tavares High Cheer Team.

“I love the bond that cheer gives you,” Savannah says. “You become a family. We push each other to be better every day.”

Her favorite memory in cheer came at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp when her team scored wins and she formed lifelong friendships. 

Her teammates aren’t her only supporters. Savannah credits her parents, Ashley and Steve Minchey, with providing unwavering encouragement. “They’ve always been there for me, traveling for my sports, cheering me on, and just showing me what unconditional love looks like,” she says.

Savannah also finds inspiration in her middle school coach, Ashley Metz. “She’s always pushed me to do my best and continues to check in on me to this day. That kind of lasting support means everything.”

Savannah’s dedication extends well beyond the cheer team. She volunteers in the Emergency Room at AdventHealth Waterman Hospital in Tavares, comforting patients, playing cards and even coloring with them to brighten their day.

“I go around and care for people in the ER. I get to watch and shadow nurses and seeing them in action inspires me,” Savannah says. “I want to get my RN in college. I love helping people and making them feel better. Even though I’m young, it feels good to make a difference in the community.”

That passion is also reflected in her academics. Savannah has a 4.5 GPA and is exploring the University of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Alabama and other institutions of higher learning. 

She’s especially proud of her involvement in Tavares High’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program, where she’s spent all four years gaining clinical experience and recently earning her EKG certification. “It’s an amazing program,” she adds. “We get to shadow real nurses and learn what it’s like to truly care for people in a medical setting.”

Savannah is also a prominent voice on the Tavares High campus. She takes her leadership role as class president seriously, organizing events like homecoming, advocating for student concerns, and ensuring they are heard and included in decisions affecting the student body. 

“I want students to know they can come to me. I’m here to make sure their voices reach the people who make the decisions,” Savannah says.

Savannah’s leadership extends to athletics. She’s passionate about being a voice for equity in sports, especially when it comes to women. 

As a competitive cheerleader and a wide receiver on Tavares High girls’ flag football team, she understands and appreciates the dedication of female athletes. 

And she’s quick to challenge the viewpoint of people who dismiss cheerleading as less than a sport. “Cheerleading is a sport. It takes strength, endurance, coordination and trust,” Savannah  says. 

“When we stunt, it’s three girls lifting and throwing another girl who easily weighs over 100 pounds into the air. That takes incredible athleticism. Our stunts require more than just physical strength; there’s timing, teamwork,and trust involved. A flyer needs balance and confidence, while the bases need to be strong, stable and in sync. It’s not just about cheering from the sidelines. We train hard. We compete. We push ourselves just like any other athletes.”

Savannah is thrilled to see more athletic opportunities opening for young women but says there’s still work to do when it comes to equity.

Savannah hopes her story will inspire other young women to pursue what they love and not shy away from challenges. “Try everything in high school,” she advised. “These four years go by so fast, and they shape who you become. I had never played football before, but I tried out for the flag team and I love it.”

As she enters her final year of high school, Savannah is focused on making the most of every moment. “My goals are to enjoy my senior year, be kind and leave on a good note,” she says. “I’ve truly enjoyed every second of high school.” 

Photos: Nicole Hamel