Brandi Winn likes being front and center.

As a Falcon cheerleader — and now the team’s captain — that’s where she’s been every winter, every fall, for the past four years.

If you’ve ever been to a South Whidbey football or basketball game, you can’t help notice the young ladies in blue and white doing their best to keep school spirit alive and the crowd jazzed, even as the team on the field or court is having a bad night.

“It takes a certain kind of person to remain upbeat and cheerful when the football team may be getting trounced,” Winn explained. “A cheerleader has to be outgoing, dedicated, not afraid to be a bit foolish in front of hundreds of people, work long hours to learn stunts and chants, have the ability to accept constructive criticism and look great in a short dress.”

Not to mention staying cheerful when sometimes you don’t feel like it.

“It takes a real team effort to stay happy in front of the crowd,” she added. “Doing this is a mix of fun and serious training.”

Cheerleading advisor Laurie Dunsmore said Winn is a perfect example of what a cheerleader should be.

“Brandi is hard-working, team-oriented and a dedicated leader,” she said. “As a four-year, eight-season veteran of high school cheerleading, she has very much earned the title of ‘Captain’ and is a great example for young girls who want to join the cheer squad.”

Winn is a product of the South Whidbey public school system and first became interested in cheerleading at a junior cheer camp in the fifth grade.

“It seemed a natural progression for me when I got to high school,” she said. “The best part is getting together to work on routines that we think will motivate fans. We’ve created a lot of great memories along the way.”

The downside for Winn as team leader is the need to occasionally impose discipline.

“I don’t like telling girls there’s a problem — that’s hard for me — but I do it when I have to,” she said.

In the spring, Winn’s thoughts turn to golf.

“My dad got me started playing when I was 7, but I didn’t really care for it that much,” she recalled.

Winn joined the Falcon team as a freshman, but said she didn’t pay that much attention to building her skill level until last year.

“Something clicked and I began to take the game seriously as my scores got better,” she said.

Falcon golf coach Tom Sage called Winn a fierce competitor and a leader on the links with a great work ethic.

“She has a quiet confidence and a wonderful sense of humor,” Sage said. “Brandi showed her leadership as the youngest member of the varsity golf team last year. She has improved her game, and a state berth isn’t out of the question for her.”

Winn is taking her cumulative 3.73 grade point average to Western Washington University in the fall. She plans to study business, specializing in finance, but expects to keep her options open.

She’s always been good in math, but admits she hasn’t always been a fan of history class.

“I discovered a real interest in world events after taking Tom Kramer’s class in contemporary world problems,” Winn said. “Studying the world the way it is now has opened my eyes, and I’ve learned to pay close attention to the news. Mr. Kramer makes the class fun while challenging students to really think for themselves.”

Off campus, Winn said she is fond of films that make her laugh — a recent fave is “The Hangover” — and science fiction such as last summer’s “Star Trek.” Music is important to her, and her taste changes with her mood; Kesha and alternative rock are firmly ensconced on her iPod.

Her senior project is a version of what goes around, comes around. She is setting up a junior cheer camp for younger girls where she’ll develop the curriculum, teach cheers and then document the experience for her presentation to community members prior to graduation.

“Cheer has been a major part of my high school years and I wanted the chance to pass that on to others,” she said. “It’s not for everyone, but it worked for me.”

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports@southwhidbeyrecord.com.