Demons on Fire – Abby Williams finds friends and community cheering on the Demons

Natchitoches - Abby Williams of Natchitoches took her love for cheering from childhood to college and is channeling her aptitude for making connections into valuable experience in marketing. A senior and Dean's List student at Northwestern State University, Williams is currently serving as president of Phi Mu while completing an internship with BOM Bank and is involved with FBLA Collegiate through NSU's School of Business. She will complete her bachelor's degree in accounting in May 2025.

Williams is also captain of the Demon cheer team and was part of the team that brought home four top five finishes including a gold medal at the 2023 UCA/UDA College Nationals Championship and the University World Cup Championship in Orlando, Florida. She carves out time to coach at Natchitoches Flipping Athletics, where she trains the All Star competitive teams and offers private lessons.

Williams sat down with NSU to talk about her experience at NSU, including cheer and what her future holds. The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity

What are some of your responsibilities at BOM?

Abby: I'm doing a marketing internship and helping with the donations. BOM gives back to the community so much. They offer a tailgate for NSU games so last week, we bought all of the supplies for that. We set up for all of their meetings. I've really learned how much BOM gives back to the community. I saw from the outside, and now definitely from the inside. There are a lot of fun people to work with.

When did you start cheer and tumbling?

Abby: I started tumbling and cheering when I was maybe three years old. My mom (Ramona Williams) coached my sisters in high schools, so I wore a little Lakeview Gators cheerleader outfit with Captain on the skirt. Micah [Murchison] who I work with at BOM now was the captain at the time. She's always been like a big sister to me. I tumbled up to age seven and my mom opened NFA (Natchitoches Flipping Athletics). We kept that for a few years, my sisters ran it. I cheered in high school, cheered in junior high. I didn't expect to cheer in college, but here I am.

Talk about being president of Phi Mu.

Abby: That is something I didn't envision myself ever doing. I went through recruitment, but I didn't expect anything other than joining a sorority. I ran for a few positions that were smaller and I planned Founder's Day for Phi Mu. Then I ran for vice president and served for about two years, so I ran all of the committees. This summer I got the call asking if I could step in as interim president. I said, "Sure, I'll do it," not really know what I was getting myself into. But it's so much fun supporting all the girls in Phi Mu, having their support behind me and knowing how much they truly care for Phi Mu.

What's been your best cheer memory at NSU?

Abby: My best cheer memory would be UCA Nationals, my second year on the team. That year, we won the World Cup. The team that year was so special. We were like one huge family. We spent so much time together and they became my best friends, so getting to win that year was something I'll always remember.

What will you do after graduation?

Abby: I plan to use my accounting degree and earn CPA certification. I'm sure I'll still be around NFA and trying to incorporate cheer into my life.

Have you had any special mentors at NSU?

Abby: Amy Dodson (Stepp), my cheer coach, and Tré Jackson. They are both so supportive. Having their support, because college is such a big change, was something special. I would love to be like Amy when I grow up.

What would you tell students considering attending NSU?

Abby: I would say NSU is a smaller university but it makes it better because you know everybody and you make those one-on-one connections with your professors. NSU has been great to me and offered me great opportunities. Natchitoches and the community are great.

Do you have any words of advice for high schoolers interested in becoming a cheerleader at NSU?

Abby: Start preparing now. A lot of people start after Christmas and you only have three months to prepare. Cheerleading has evolved so much. The skills are harder. You can't just go out and wing it with intermediate skills now because everyone has elite skills and everyone is trying to get better. Absolutely do it. It offers so many great opportunities, not just in college but connections you make with people. You also get best friends through the process.

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