Always Moving Forward

Cheerleading has always been a natural fit for Arkansas Tech Cheer Squad Head Coach Jasmine Bruce

by Amber Smith Zaliski

photo by WHITNEY PHILLIPS

Jasmine with members of the 2021-2022 Arkansas Tech University Cheer Squad.

What do Hawks, Razorbacks, and Wonder Boys have in common? 

If you guessed that they are all mascots, then yes, you are correct. If you guessed, more specifically, that a passion for cheerleading and a love of adventure have led Texarkana native Jasmine Bruce from Pleasant Grove to the University of Arkansas and now to Arkansas Tech, then you would be even more correct. While her path has had some unexpected twists and turns, Jasmine’s self-confidence and positive outlook keep her moving forward. As the new head coach for the Arkansas Tech Cheer Squad, Jasmine is excited for her new role in the sport she has always loved.

For as long as she can remember, Jasmine has loved dancing, sports, and dressing up for beauty pageants, so when she started cheering in middle school, it was a natural fit. “Cheerleading has always been fun,” she said, “but I’ve also realized that cheering is a sport where you can always evolve. You can always get better.  There is always something you can improve, and I really like that about it. I also really love that it’s a team sport. And you can build a sense of family.”

During the 2017 UIL Cheer State Competition, Jasmine visited with her mother, Tara Capeheart; grandmother, Cynthia Hollingsworth; and sister, Joy Bruce.

When Jasmine graduated from PG in 2017, she had years of experience as a competitive cheerleader with plenty of titles and trophies to show for it, and she set her sights on joining the Razorback Cheer Squad. “I actually had a lot of people that doubted me, or you know, I was hearing all of the reasons I wouldn’t make it – I’m too tall, I’m not blonde, Texarkana girls never make it … but all of those things just pushed me to work harder,” Jasmine said. All of her hard work paid off, and Jasmine perfected her Woo Pig Sooie as a Razorback cheerleader her freshman year – one of only seven new members to join the team. “It really felt like a dream come true.”

The excitement that Jasmine felt making the team was only equaled by her disappointment the following year. “I was heartbroken when I found out I didn’t make the team the next year,” she said. “At the time, I thought everything was my fault and was pretty down about it. Later, I was able to realize that there can be a lot that goes on behind-the-scenes, and some situations are out of your control.” Despite the sudden change of plans, Jasmine embraced college life in Fayetteville, made the most of sorority life, and still had fun cheering on the Hogs. In 2021, she had the honor of representing Fayetteville in the Miss Arkansas pageant where she was named first runner-up, and she graduated with a degree in political science and a minor in criminology.

During the 2017-2018 Arkansas Razorback season, Jasmine was a part of the cheer squad.  Here, she is performing a stunt with fellow cheer member, Ty Conner.

Jasmine had always planned to attend law school after graduation, but as graduation quickly approached, she realized she wasn’t quite as sure about that. “I really never had a backup plan. It was always just law school or nothing, basically,” Jasmine said. “I was getting ready to take the LSATs and started to question whether I really wanted to do that right now, or if maybe I should wait a year. Traditionally, you go straight into law school after graduation, but I’m not a very traditional person anyway, so I decided to trust my own timing in life and enjoy this moment in time.”

Once Jasmine opened herself up to new opportunities, a new possibility practically tumbled right into her lap. “After freshman year, I assumed that my cheer career was over and hadn’t thought much about it in years,” she said. “Two good friends of mine from U of A cheer knew I was still searching for what I wanted to do, and they told me about the coaching position in Russellville and encouraged me to go for it.” While she was flattered and thought it was an interesting idea, Jasmine didn’t do anything about it until she got another message about the position. “I finally decided to apply just to see what would happen.”

Jasmine was offered the head coaching position very quickly. “I knew I would like the job – I love cheer, and I’ve had coaching positions in the past in Twin Cities back at home and with the National Cheerleaders Association – but also, this just felt like such a random opportunity that I’d be dumb not to take it,” she said. “Day one, as soon as I met the team, I fell in love with it!”

As long as Jasmine can remember, she has loved dancing, sports, and dressing up for beauty pageants.  It was only fitting that she served as Miss Texarkana 2017-2018.

As the head coach, in addition to running practices four times a week and game day duties and events, Jasmine is embracing all of the new responsibilities of organizing, scheduling and recruiting, hosting clinics, and learning traditions. “It’s my first big girl job!” she said. “But it’s something I truly love so it doesn’t feel like work. It definitely makes me miss cheering. I miss the adrenaline rush.” All of the qualities that Jasmine has honed on and off the field, she carries with her into her new position. “To be a great cheerleader you have to be confident in your own self, your own skills, and you have to believe in lifting others up. Looking back, I think I learned even more from the disappointments. I think those experiences will make me an even stronger coach.”

While she is coaching at Arkansas Tech, Jasmine is also working on her master’s degree in multimedia journalism. “During college, I spent some time working and anchoring for UATV news, and I loved it. I’m excited to learn more, and it’s fun to dream about what that could possibly lead to – like, how fun would it be to be a sportscaster or something like that?” In the meantime, she is enjoying all the best that Arkansas has to offer. “I love the mountains, all the outdoorsy adventures, and how naturally pretty Arkansas is. So many people are genuinely nice, and I love being a part of such strong and supportive communities.”

In May 2019, Jasmine graduated from the University of Arkansas.

As Jasmine embarks on this next journey, she certainly never forgets where she’s from. “Growing up in Texarkana and having a solid foundation definitely made me want to go and do! I want to learn, and grow, and see everything, and travel the world, and do big things. I definitely give my mom so much credit for how confident and independent I have become. She raised my sister and me as a single parent and always supported us, but taught us and showed us that we have to work hard for what we want, be our own biggest cheerleaders, and to put our whole heart into what we want to do.” 

Whether it comes naturally or whether she has practiced it over and over until it has become second nature, Jasmine Bruce looks out at her world with glittery eyes. “I’ve never just sat still. I always try to put myself out there, and I am proud of myself for looking at life from a positive perspective,” Jasmine said. “I’m happy with where I am now, and I’m even more excited to see where this journey leads, and what the next stepping stone will be.” 

Anna-Blair Lawrence and Jasmine served as 2017-2019 National Cheer Association instructors.