Much like participation on an athletic team, healthcare professions require dedication, hard work and collaboration. At West Virginia University, senior Kyra Kerr has used her experiences in the Dental Hygiene program and as a member of the WVU Competitive Cheer Team to better herself in the classroom and on the competition mat.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Kerr’s childhood memories of going to the orthodontist and hearing stories from one of her mom's friends, a dental assistant, sparked her curiosity in the dental hygiene profession. Her newly realized interest led her to enroll in a dental assisting tech program during high school.
After touring the WVU Health Sciences Campus and visiting a competitive cheer practice, Kerr knew she wanted to become a Mountaineer and join the competitive cheer team.
“I did a tour and went to a cheer practice, and I knew I had to go here and be on the team,” Kerr said. “I also knew about the competitive dental hygiene program. There are not many four-year bachelor programs for dental hygiene, and I had to take advantage of that opportunity.”
Once on campus, Kerr found that the rigorous demands of dental hygiene and the competitive nature of college athletics fueled her motivation.
“I knew this program was going to be tough, especially when we started doing clinical work and working with patients,” she said. “But it feels so rewarding when a patient is leaving and tells you they felt cared for and were comfortable.”
Through clinical hours and coursework, Kerr discovered her true passion for preventive care. With support from her professors, she’s found purpose both in and out of the classroom.
Dental hygiene and competitive cheer may seem like polar opposites. However, Kerr found several attributes that helped her in both places.
“Resilience, hard work and determination,” she said. “If you're not willing to put in the work, it's not going to be handed to you. All of those characteristics are very important in both dental hygiene and cheer.”
Kerr’s leadership helped the WVU Competitive Cheer Team place second at the 2024 NCA Collegiate Intermediate All-Girl D1A National Championship. But she knew they had more in them.
“Last year, we placed second. I've never felt hungrier in my entire life to come back and get first place,” she said. “It's tough, but WVU has really taught me resilience. You're exhausted, you're sore, and you want to go home but in the end it’s all worth it.”
In spring 2025, Kerr and her teammates returned to Daytona and claimed the national title, winning the NCA Collegiate Intermediate All-Girl D1A National Championship.
“Running into the ocean when we won, no one will ever understand that feeling of all your hard work paying off,” she said.
The Dental Hygiene program and competitive cheer have shaped Kerr’s college experience in profound ways. Now entering her senior year, she hopes to continue her journey while inspiring and helping others along the way.
“I want to jump straight into work. I am so ready to get out into the real world and start using everything I've learned here,” she said. “Eventually, I want to coach a college team and take them to NCA to compete at the national level, and hopefully win an NCA title as a coach, not just as an athlete.”
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