From flips and tumbles to leading the Black Student Association, Texas Wesleyan senior Starashia “Star” Fletcher-Shoel is making the most of her college experience. This psychology major has been soaring through the air since elementary school, but college cheerleading wasn't exactly in her original game plan. As a first-generation college student, Star wasn't quite sure how to navigate the higher education landscape. Luckily, a high school friend who attended Texas Wesleyan gave her a glimpse of campus life and introduced her to cheerleading coach Terrance Davis (aka Coach T). 

"Talking back and forth with Coach T, getting accepted and then getting scholarship money, it was easy," she says, explaining her decision to become a Ram. 

Even though she never envisioned herself as a college cheerleader, Star's not ready to hang up her pompoms anytime soon. "Being a cheerleader is really fun," she shares. "In my day-to-day life, I’m kind of chill. But with cheerleading, you have to be excited, fierce and sassy. I get to step into an element of myself that I don’t get to show on a regular day.” 

While she loves cheering on the Rams at football games, the spring competition season holds a special place in her heart. In 2024, she was part of the Texas Wesleyan Cheer Team that placed second in the NCA College Nationals in Daytona, Florida. 

"I feel like Daytona is the place where dreams come true for a cheerleader because cheering in Daytona is a really big deal. It’s one of the biggest things you can do in the cheer world,” she said. 

Cheerleading also led Star to another passion: the Black Student Association (BSA). "My teammates would tell me during every practice that I should come to a BSA meeting, and I never did," she laughs. "I didn’t want to be in a student organization at first.” But she soon realized BSA was about more than just social gatherings; it was a group dedicated to making a real difference on campus. Following in the footsteps of a cheerleading alumna, Star now serves as BSA president. This leadership role has helped her hone her time-management skills as she juggles being a student, athlete and president. 

This February, Star and the BSA are putting together several events for Black History Month, with events like a Trap Painting Night, a Black student-owned business showcase, and a Valentine’s Day event with Black Coffee, just to name a few. It's a big undertaking, requiring lots of coordination from Star and her fellow BSA officers. And if that wasn't enough, Star also holds a work-study job with athletics and a part-time job off campus. 

“It’s a lot of late nights,” she said. “I like having my busy days. I’m building something and putting in the work. I’m always thinking about where all this work is going to get me.” 

Looking back, Star's thrilled with how involved she's become in college life. “College is what you make it,” she advises future college students. “Don’t just sit in your room, venture out because things aren’t just going to find you. Have fun, you’re in college!” 

After graduation, Star plans to move to another state to pursue her master’s degree and become a forensic or criminal psychologist and see more of the United States.  

Learn more about how to get involved in Texas Wesleyan’s athletic programs and student organizations.