The streets of New York City are a long way from Valliant, but Abriana “Roo” Suhr carried a piece of her hometown with her when she performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Suhr earned that opportunity after being selected as an All-American cheerleader. Dancing through Manhattan became a defining memory, but the Valliant High School junior returned home with the same values she took there: work hard, remain grounded and keep moving when the day becomes difficult.
“One thing I am proud of is that I was chosen as an All-American cheerleader and performed a dance routine in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City,” Suhr said.
Suhr’s life rarely stays in one lane. She participates in cheer, basketball, golf and track, moving from sidelines and courts to fairways and the track. Each sport presents a different challenge, yet all four have reinforced the lesson she values most.
“All my sports have taught me perseverance,” Suhr said. “Just because you are having a rough moment, day or time does not mean the world stops for you. You have to get up and keep working.”
She applies that thinking to teamwork as well. Suhr cannot single out one teammate as her greatest influence because she believes every person contributes something important.
“It takes everyone to be successful as a team, so each and every teammate has helped me along the way,” Suhr said. “We all help pull each other up, and I love each of them.”
That same sense of shared responsibility is part of what Suhr appreciates about Valliant and McCurtain County. Disagreements may happen, she said, but people still respond when someone needs help.
“Everyone is like family, and they support each other,” Suhr said. “They may squabble sometimes, but they are always there if you get in a bind.”
Away from athletics, Suhr is involved in FFA, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, honor roll, Student Council, the Valliant Junior Chamber of Commerce and 4-H. She serves as class vice president and holds several pageant titles, including Miss VHS.
Through every role, Suhr follows advice built around three commitments: work hard, never give up and always follow Jesus. She credits her family with giving those words a foundation.
“They support me, push me, guide me and love me beyond measure,” Suhr said.
