Lexi Hammond '22

Senior aims high in cheer and studies

When Lexi Hammond '22 sets her mind on something, the sky is the limit. A Pirate cheerleader for the past four years, Hammond entered her senior year determined to learn a new skill – stacking two people on her shoulders. 

"I came into summer camp this year knowing I wanted to be the base for two-high pyramids," Hammond says. "I have seen men on the team doing these stunts, but prior to this year the women were not placed in these positions. Watching the men, I was encouraged and felt like I was strong enough to master the same skills. We hit our two-high stunt on our first try!" 

She has since been a base for these pyramids at every game. A team captain, Hammond is always pushing the team to expand their abilities. "We motivate each other to be the best we can and work together to achieve these goals," she says. 

Prior to Whitworth, Hammond's athletic experience was in competitive dancing. She saw cheerleading as an opportunity to try something new and utilize her dance background. 

"I love how cheerleading is so interconnected and encouraging," she says. "Cheerleading is a team sport that takes a lot of trust. We are throwing people high up in the air and must be strong together to keep our team safe and make the stunt look good."

Hammond shows tenacity in the classroom as well. Diagnosed with a language processing disorder at age 12, Hammond experiences difficulties in understanding speech, distinguishing similar sounds, and reading and writing. However, this hasn't stopped her from pursuing majors in psychology and Spanish.

"School was never easy for me, and it took a lot of hard work and time for me to understand things that my classmates picked up effortlessly," she says. "I really didn't like Spanish at all when I first started. But something inside of me kept me going. I never gave up, and Spanish has become one of the most important things in my life. I love how the language connects me with people all over the world and helps me experience the cultures, places and relationships with people in ways I simply couldn't if I didn't speak Spanish." 

One of Hammond's favorite Whitworth classes was Spanish for Christian Ministry with Instructor Kim Hernández, where she learned how to integrate her faith and vocation. She is considering becoming a mental health counselor or high school teacher and using her Spanish in either profession.

"God put into me a constant inclination to connect with people; to make sure they feel seen, known and appreciated," she says. "These are two career options where I believe I could do that well."

As she reflects on her time at Whitworth, Hammond hopes the biggest impact she made on the cheerleading team was relational. 

"I hope I taught my team new ways they can care of themselves and of one another," she says, "not only by checking in with each other as athletes, but on a personal level as well."