The rhythmic sounds of sneakers squeaking on mats, sharp clapping, tired grunts, and cheerleaders launching into the air represent the intense atmosphere of WEGO cheer. But on the quiet nights in West Chicago, 17-year-old  Samantha Jaloway – better known to others as Sam – disconnects from her reality and dives into a fictional one instead.

“Well, I love to read. That’s been like my biggest hobby for like, probably, five years.” Jaloway said.

Besides Jaloway’s passion for reading realistic fiction, she is part of WEGO’s cheer team and also played badminton during her first two years at WEGO.

“I’ve been in cheer all four years, so I prefer cheer. I’ve done it for longer, since I was eight, so I’m more confident [in cheer],” Jaloway said.

Jaloway would describe herself as someone who is private and reserved.

“I’m actually really talkative, which I don’t come off as to a lot of people, because in school, I’m really quiet. I mean, I just am kind of shy,” Jaloway said.

Despite her shyness, Jaloway stepped into the spotlight at the age of eight by acting in a short film.

“I went through like an agency, and basically, like, have people look at my resume. Then you would go and audition. You would either do a self-tape or you would go in person. And yeah, so when I went for the short film, they really liked me. I got casted for it,” Jaloway said.

The short film that Jaloway was cast in was about a family who had lost their mother in a car accident. During that time, Jaloway’s father had recently passed, and the role in the short film was very similar to Jaloway’s own reality at the time.

Her father’s passing had a profound impact on her life.

“It was a huge change in my life. It was very hard to deal with. It’s not something you forget, but you grow accustomed to it,” Jaloway said.

Having to return to school after such a tragic event in one’s life is no easy task. Her father’s passing made television news, meaning that her classmates and teachers knew what Sam was going through at the time.

Fortunately, Jaloway was surrounded by supportive teachers, while she and her family relied on one another as much as they could during that period.

“[The most influential people in my life are] probably either my mom or my sister,” Jaloway said. “They’re both huge in my life, they do a lot for me, both of them in their own ways, and they’re just both for me in their own ways. Obviously, my mom supports me, and I think she’s a very strong woman. Then my sister, her and I just, we get along really well, and we kind of are just also always there for each other in a different way than [me and] my mom would.”

Jaloway’s relationship with her family shaped the way she moved forward after her father’s death, and from that journey, she has developed meaningful advice for anyone coping with a similar tragedy.

“You need to have somebody. It’s not good to let all your emotions get bottled up, or, I don’t know, take up any unhealthy habits or anything,” Jaloway said. “You have to have people there for you, even if it’s just your family. It’s horrible to have to deal with that all by yourself. So the best thing you can do is, you know, just have some support in your life, whether it’s friends or family.”

Now, her close friend group consists of seniors Khloee Zomparelli and Alina Baranska.

“I would describe Sam as thoughtful, as she always thinks how her actions can affect me and everybody else,” Baranska said. “I also think she is hardworking. She does everything in her power to achieve her goals and puts in the time and effort into anything she wants to achieve.”

Baranska also noted Jaloway’s trustworthiness.

”She respects my and others’ feelings and keeps promises,” Baranska said.