Here is the article from the Prince William County Daily Journal from the April 6, 2001 edition.

Master of her cheer domain
By BENJAMIN ECKMAN
Journal staff writer

At the age of 14, Ashley Elliott has already developed multiple talents. Not only can she dance, tumble, cheer, play the flute and perform cheerleading stunts, she is also an aspiring Web master.

Elliott has even managed to combine her love of pep with her enthusiasm for technology. Recently she created a Web site, www.smscheer.itgo.com, for her competition cheerleading squad at Stonewall Middle School.

``I started playing around with the computer when I was in fifth and sixth grade for a science project. I liked the graphics," Ashley said.
``After doing a couple of other Web pages I decided to do one for the squad. My parents took some pictures at our first competition and I was able to put them on the site and go from there."

The comprehensive site includes information about the team, thank-yous to all those involved with the SMS Sabres Competition Squad and pictures of the squad at a recent competition. For Sabres cheerleading coach Priscilla Sorrell, the site can be used for schedules, upcoming competitions and information for the parents.

``I keep a practice schedule, contact phone numbers and other info that can be accessed at any time," Sorrell said. ``It's helpful for me because I can send one e-mail to all the parents or put one time change on the Web site and I know people will get it. Instead of me having to call 22 people. ... Ashley did an excellent job with the Web site. She took it upon herself to do this."

Ashley's mom, Kym Burns, who works as a computer specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, said that her daughter spends every minute she can working on the site. Burns also said that Ashley is willing to do even more for the team.

``Other than once or twice a week, she's on the Web site every night. She updates the information and makes sure everything is working properly," Burns said. ``She's now getting ready to do bios for the entire team with their likes and dislikes and that kind of thing."

When Ashley checks her Web site, the first thing she looks for is the counter which tells how many people have visited her site. The tally recently stood at 1,126. She also spends time checking the guest book to see who has signed in.

``The other night I checked the counter and saw it had 1,047 people had visited my Web site. It felt so cool to know that many people looked at a Web site I did," Ashley said. ``In the guest book, I see that other cheerleading squads are looking at my site and telling me they like it. These cheerleaders are from like Texas. People from other states are seeing my Web site."

The photos on the site itself are from the Sabres' second-place performance at the Battle of the Capital on March 10 at American University in Washington, D.C. It was also the squad's first competition. The Sabres next competition is Saturday at Kings Dominion. The second place finish was exciting for Ashley.

``It was kind of funny because they told us we finished second and handed us a second place trophy," Ashley said. ``Half of us jumped up and down screaming. It made us more confident and more excited and dedicated to practicing hard."

The confidence is what makes a difference. According to both Sorrell and Burns, Ashley's confidence, self-esteem and grades have significantly improved with her involvement in cheerleading and the Web page.

``She's only been a cheerleader for a year and it has brought her self-esteem way up. Last year her grades were borderline and now she makes all A's, B's and C's," Burns said. ``It has pushed her in new directions like tumbling, tap, jazz. To make the varsity cheerleading squad at Stonewall High one has to do a back hand spring. That's what Ashley is working on."

Becoming a varsity cheerleader at Stonewall Jackson High School isn't Elliott's only goal in life. She aspires to a future in medicine, technology and politics.

``I want to be a veterinarian, which I've wanted to do since I was young, with a whole tech business on the side," Ashley said. ``I'll be the next Bill Gates, but female. Then I'll run for president."