Daniela Schultz, also known as Dani by her friends, is a senior here at West. She is a member of the varsity cheer team, which she has been a part of since her sophomore year. Dani is a back spot, meaning she holds up the stunts. Additionally, Dani is also known to hold up her teammates spirits. “Being on the cheer team with Dani has been such an amazing experience, I’m really going to miss her. When I think of Dani, I think of having an older sister who is always willing to give you advice, drive you around, and give you much needed brutal honesty, especially when you really need to hear it. Dani is always there for me when I need her and she is always able to make me laugh when I’m feeling down. She’s the only person I know who can balance three jobs and still have time for school, cheer, and a social life. Behind that intimidatingly fashionable teenage girl lies such an incredible person with the biggest heart and there’s really no one quite like her. She’s shown me how to have a thicker skin against negativity and has significantly improved my high school cheer experience. I love her so much.” said Vivian Joyce, junior on varsity cheer, when asked what it’s like cheering with Dani.
Dani can also be seen empowering the people around her. When Cheyanne Pinkowski, sophomore, transferred to St. Charles West this school year, Dani took Pinkowski under her wing and showed her how to be confident. “She talks you out of your bad thoughts as much as possible. She tries to make you do things to your full potential and that’s what I love. She has influenced me to be as strong as I can be to not let little things get to me. She has taught me that everyone has their own opinions about you and to not believe anything anyone has to say about you.” Pinkowski explains.
Outside of school, you can find Dani with her best friend, senior Malayna Peterson. Being described as Dani’s other half and twin sister, Peterson has been inseparable from Dani for the past 7 years. “Dani is the most selfless person I know. She’s kind, funny, and has always been there for me. Dani is always down to go to Target or Chimi’s with me whenever and I couldn’t ask for a better friend,” says Peterson about her friendship with Dani.
After high school, Dani plans on attending college to study early childhood education or attend The Salon Professional Academy to study cosmetology. Whether she ends up teaching or doing hair, we will be proud of Dani for all she has accomplished. St. Charles West will miss Dani and her uplifting spirit.
