Our August Athlete of the Month is Natalie Slotwinski, a 16-year-old junior at North Gwinnett High School. She is the daughter of Stephen and Jennifer Slotwinski and has one brother, Jonathan.  The Slotwinskis have lived in Edinburgh since 2019, when they moved from California. Natalie says, “I love the community and friends I have made in the neighborhood.”

Natalie competes in all-star cheer for Rav3 of the Atlanta Jayhawks and represents North Gwinnett High School as a sideline and gameday cheerleader. She also takes dance as an elective at school and has recently joined the North Gwinnett track team as a pole vaulter.

Natalie began her athletic journey as a gymnast and started cheering after COVID, when a friend asked her to join the middle school competition team, the Junior Bulldogs. Gymnastics laid a useful foundation for her transition to competitive cheer. After her first season with the school competition team, she joined the Atlanta Jayhawks all-star cheer team and added spirit and sideline cheer to her athletic pursuits. She says, “I always love learning new choreography and stunts with my team. My favorite memory is competing at All-Star Worlds in Orlando and finishing in 4th out of 48 teams from around the world. I also cherish the moments immediately after competing when everyone finds their friends and celebrates after hitting a good routine. Finally, I love leading my team in prayer before every competition.”

In addition to the athletic skills Natalie has honed over her many years of cheering, she has also developed lifelong attributes that she will continue to carry off the sideline or mat and apply to her life as a young adult. She says, “I have improved my work ethic by working hard to improve my tumbling and stunts. I have also learned how to take the initiative to lead and help others.”

When asked about a particular mentor or adult that she could credit with contributing to her success, Natalie says, “All of my coaches have always given their all to help me improve, and they always cheer for everyone’s achievements, even if small.” What a great reminder of the adults who lead children in this community and at our local high school!

About her future plans for her cheerleading career, Natalie says, “I plan to continue competing in Allstar cheer throughout high school and potentially try out for a college sideline team.” Whatever her future holds, Natalie’s spirit, faith, drive, and leadership will take her far!