CAPTURING RILEY: The Freshmen We Knew We Needed

We are absolutely thrilled to introduce one of the incredible teens joining our 2025/2026 Teen Team season —the wonderfully energetic and determined Riley Chonko! ​ Riley just celebrated her 15th birthday and is a freshman at Rootstown High School where she is already a force—on the court, on the field, and now on our team.

When Her Application Hit Our Inbox…

There are certain applications that stop you in your tracks. Riley’s was one of them. The moment hers came in, it shot straight to the top. We could feel her energy and authenticity through every word, and after meeting her it only confirmed what we already knew—this girl is special.

Meet Riley: A Snapshot

​Riley is a full-out athlete with a love for volleyball, cheer, and anything that keeps her moving. She even brings a unique tumbling talent to the mix!

She’s also a girl who embraces the little joys in life—Slim Jims, her favorite pink and blue color combo, and her adventurous love for seafood (seriously, she could eat it all day). And because she’s Riley, she even has a signature quirky snack: sweet peppers stuffed with cream cheese and a Taki.

Seeing Riley in Her Element

We caught up to Riley at a few of her extra curricular activities catching both a volleyball game and a football game to see her in action—and wow.

Watching her play and cheer is like witnessing pure spirit in motion. She is focused, driven, and wildly passionate. She doesn’t just participate—she pours her whole heart into everything she does. You can feel her determination from across the gym, and her school spirit is absolutely contagious when she cheers. Quite impressively as a freshman Riley made the Varsity cheerleading squad !!

Confidence & Motivation

​Riley joined the Teen Team to fully embrace and express herself. She wants to feel beautiful, confident, and more like the version of herself she wants the world to see. She’s ready to step out of the everyday hoodie-and-leggings comfort zone and really elevate her style and confidence.

Her daily motivation comes from a mix of Christian music and energy drinks—an iconic combo that keeps her pushing, keeps her positive, and keeps her grounded in kindness.

She’s proud of her features—her hair, hazel eyes, her ability to braid like a pro, and her skilled nail designs. But the thing she’s most proud of is her growth. Her confidence didn’t come overnight; she earned it.

Role Model Qualities

​Riley describes herself as outgoing, communicative, and passionate about spreading kindness. Her friends describe her as sweet, loving, caring, and the kind of person who shows up for everyone—no matter what.

She’s honest about her struggles, too. She sometimes worries that people don’t truly like her, and she’s felt the sting of losing and repairing friendships. But she chooses to surround herself with the right people, the safe people—the people who lift her up. That self-awareness is one of the many reasons she’s such a powerful example for younger girls and why we needed her on our team!!!

What She Brings to the Teen Team

Riley brings energy. The fun kind. The infectious kind. She’s a little crazy—in the best, most lovable, most memorable way—and she lights up every room she walks into.

She brings laughter. She brings boldness. She brings heart. And she brings a level of spirit that elevates everyone around her.

We don’t just love having her on the team… we adore her. Riley adds something to our table that can’t be taught—pure personality, pure joy, and pure authenticity.

Riley, we are beyond excited to have you with us this year. Your spirit, your drive, your kindness, your courage—everything about you makes you a perfect fit for what our Teen Team stands for.

This is just the beginning for Riley, and we’re honored to be part of her journey.