High School Standouts: West Ridge’s Nidiffer cherishes competition, relationship forged through cheer

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – West Ridge senior Autumn Nidiffer had no idea what to expect when she walked into her first cheer gym at six years old.

“No one in my family is a cheerleader so it was kind of random,” she said.

But it was apparent from the start that this match was made to be.

“I’ve just [fallen] in love with it, and I’ve done it since,” she said.

Travel cheer came first as she fell deeper in love with the routines and the competition she faced from other teams across the nation.

“I’m a really competitive person,” she said. “So, I really enjoy just getting to travel with it, too.”

It’s no surprise that one of her favorite trips comes almost every year at one of the world’s most magical venues.

“Definitely Disney World,” she said. “It’s called Summit, and it’s a huge competition with over thousands of teams.”

“I’ve done it for 12 years and the nerves are still the same,” she said of competing on such a grand stage. “But it’s so much fun.”

Nidiffer added school cheer to her resume beginning in sixth grade – a vastly different but equally exciting experience she’s come to cherish.

“Especially to get involved with the student section,” she said. “Dress with the themes and do different crowd cheers and stuff with them.”

But the absolute best part for her remains the friendships she’s formed with her teammates, especially after Sullivan County’s consolidation to West Ridge High School a few years ago.

“I’ve met so many new people that I probably would have never met if I just stayed at [Sullivan] Central, and it’s just really cool to cheer with them,” she said.

While it is a big part, cheer is still only one part of Nidiffer’s life.

“I’m in nine different clubs,” she said.

From the National Honor Society to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and even serving as president of the Unified Champions Club, which works hand-in-hand with Special Olympics Tennessee, Nidiffer keeps busy.

“It just really makes my day being able to do stuff with them, because I know it makes them really happy,” she said.

Another organization close to her heart is Future Health Professionals (HOSA), as she continues to work toward becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

“Definitely a lot of work, it consists of 21 different skills,” she said of her ongoing training. “We’ll go to the Wexford House, and then we’ll also go to the Bristol hospital, as well, and do some clinicals there.”

She’s one step closer to pursuing a career in service to others – a sort of tradition that runs in her family.

“My mom, grandmother and great-grandmother are all in the medical field, so they’ve truly kind of inspired me.”

“[My grandmother]’s very supportive and she’s super proud that I’m going to go into the medical field like her.”

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