30 Under 30: Addie Bolton and Dakota Kennedy

BSCC Cheerleading

Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Ryan McGill

Addie Bolton

Cheer has always been a way of life for Addie Bolton.

Growing up in Jasper, Addie competed in gymnastics and cheer, and began cheering for Cordova High School in ninth grade. She did not expect to cheer in college, but when Bevill State Community College announced its new cheer team tryouts, Addie’s expectations changed.

Addie will complete her associate degree in 2024 and become an esthetician, a state-licensed skincare professional.

“I knew I wanted to do esthetics because I love all things beauty,” she says.

Outside of cheer and school, Addie attends Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Cordova and participates in pageants, which, she says, have taught her many life lessons.  

Thanks to the opportunity at Bevill State, Addie can continue her love for cheerleading while pursuing her dream career.

Dakota Kennedy

Dakota Kennedy is a young woman of many attributes. From cheer, to architecture and design, to education, she brings all her talents to life.

Growing up in Cordova, Dakota played soccer and softball. She began cheering in seventh grade and quickly came to love it. After graduating from high school, the decision to cheer in college was an easy one.

“When Bevill started a cheer team, it was something I really wanted to do,” Dakota says. “I decided to just go for it.”

Inspired by her father, an educator, Dakota is majoring in Secondary Education with a concentration in English. She also channels her love for cheer and education by helping coach the Lupton Junior High cheer team.

During summer breaks, she does landscape and exterior work on homes in the area, learning more about architecture and design.

By pursuing each of her talents, Dakota is helping the community and spreading her love for cheer to other young athletes. 78