By Chris Cox

Gymnastics was a big part of Hope York’s life. At least it was, up until a couple of years ago when the wear and tear on her body forced her to go in a different direction.

“I was a gymnast for eight years,” says York, a senior at Meeker High School. “During that time, I won two state titles, but it got to a point where my body wasn’t handling it well. I am loud and energetic so I thought cheerleading would be the next best thing for me. I needed that energy to go somewhere.”

As a multi-sport athlete, York enjoys learning about how the body works. Along with cheering for the Meeker Bulldogs, she is currently enrolled in the Advanced Health Careers program at Gordon Cooper Technology Center. York says it’s the specificity of the program that is most beneficial.

“I like the program because during the second semester, you get to choose a program to learn about,” she says. “By learning about sports medicine, I get a more in-depth understanding of what life would be like if I did choose to be in the physical therapy field. I can see if this is something I would really like to do in my life and get ahead by doing some of my learning now.”

York’s instructor, Rachel Pritchett, believes that York will be able to use her knowledge to achieve whatever she wants.

“Hope is an extremely intelligent and dedicated young lady that has the ability to achieve greatness,” says Pritchett. “She is so knowledgeable, and I am blessed to have her in my class. She will be successful in anything she chooses to do.”

Along with cheer and her schoolwork, York is a part of the Meeker Drama Dawgs, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, the BancFirst Bank Board, and HOSA (a Gordon Cooper organization). York is also the vice president of her senior class, a former Girl’s State delegate, and an academic letter jacket winner.