The alarm clock blares at 8 a.m. to signify the start of Katie Wall’s day. With a quick breakfast for herself and her dogs Otis and Appa, she is ready to begin her busy day.
At 8:30 a.m., it is time for Wall to log in to work. Her ringing phone fills her house as she works from her phone most of the day. The phone goes quiet at 4:30 p.m., signaling the end of another work day. As one workday ends, another begins.
Wall graduated from Asbury University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. While studying for her degree, Wall was also a flier for the Asbury University cheer squad.
Wall found her love for cheering at age seven during a mini cheer camp that a high school near her home in Florida put on. From middle school until her senior year in college, Wall cheered her heart out.
While working from home, Wall coaches the Asbury University cheer squad as a first-year coach. Since Wall is only 24 and not much older than the girls on her team, she has had to establish more authority than most coaches.
“It can be hard taking advice/ instruction from someone not much older than you,” said Wall. “I do think my structure has helped with this some, but not resolved the problem entirely.”
Working and coaching are not all that Wall prioritizes daily. On Aug. 28, 2021, Wall married her college sweetheart Ryan Wall. They met on the first day of classes during their first year of college in 2017 and have been together ever since.
“Married life has been great,” she said. “He is my best friend.”
After graduating from Asbury in 2021, Wall attended Florida State University to pursue her Master’s in social work.
“With social work, a master’s degree widens what you can do. I hope to use it by getting into school social work,” said Wall.
Wall and her husband found that Florida was not where they were meant to live, so they moved back to Kentucky. Wall is continuing her degree online from her home in Lexington.
“The most challenging part of life after college would be adjusting to adulthood and figuring out how to get on your feet. I just had to trust God, and he has gotten me to this point,” said Wall.
Yet, The obstacles do not stop there for Wall.
Her first year as a cheer coach has not been a walk in the park.
“The most challenging obstacle would be we have lost quite a few girls this season. That can be hard not only on a first-year coach but also the athletes who are depending on them,” said Wall. “It is important, despite this, to continue to encourage those who have put in double the effort due to this and to help in finishing the season strong.”
Hearing all that is on Wall’s to-do list, most would find themselves overwhelmed and wanting to quit. She finds reassurance in trying not to take things personally as her flexibility for life strengthens.
Wall’s motivations come from her desire to not let others down. She wants to produce good work. Wall says her dog Otis helps a lot, too.
“I think that God wouldn’t give me more than I can handle. While it is overwhelming and stressful at times, I know he is steering this ship and just praying he uses me to do his work.”
