BEFORE MARYVILLE
Attended William Blount High School in Maryville, Tennessee, where she participated in Cheer all four years for coaches Megan Luke and Jane Wichert.

Get to Know: Was a UCA All-American in 2024, was a team captain, and a member of the National Honor Society. She also participated in SkillsUSA, National English Honor Society, Key Club, Student Council, and Mu Alpha Theta. She graduated Summa Cum Laude. She was a host for the school's news channel, and was the school's newspaper correspondent. 

Personal
Born: Ariel-Layne Barbara Kirksey in Guangxi, China. 
Family: Her parents are Beth and John Kirksey, and has one brother, John Cole Kirksey (MC '14)