JACKSONVILLE, FLa. – For three former Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders, leadership, service, and spirit didn’t end when they stepped off the field. Now professionals, mothers, and community leaders, these women are using the lessons learned on the sidelines to inspire and uplift Jacksonville in powerful ways.
Missy Metz, principal of Coppergate Elementary School, a Title I arts magnet school in Middleburg, is not only an educator but also the president of the ROAR Alumni Association. Despite pursuing her doctorate, Metz said encouragement from her fellow alumni pushed her to take on the leadership role.
“A lot of the girls that I cheered with, that cheered after me, that cheered before me, that I grew up admiring, they all felt, ‘Missy, you are the right person to take on this role,‘” Metz said.
Metz blends her background in cheer and dance with education at her school by launching the school’s first dance program.
“You can’t have an arts school without a dance program,” she said.
Metz began her career as a special education teacher, inspired by a family member’s journey.
“My cousin suffered a traumatic brain injury at two years old and was left significantly disabled,” Metz said. “Growing up with him and seeing his challenges inspired me.”
Kayla Sharp, another ROAR alum, joined the Jaguars cheer team after being inspired by her daughter, Skylar, who has Down syndrome. Sharp wanted to be involved in a community that embraced inclusion—and found it through cheerleading.
“I just wanted to meet other people. Not having a real dance background, I just wanted to dive in as a young mom,” Sharp said.
Now the founder of Atlantic Trust Mortgage, Sharp said her cheerleading experience taught her the value of relationships—something she carries into her business. Her involvement in the local nonprofit world is just as strong.
“I was Champion of the Year for Best Buddies and raised the most money ever in Jacksonville,” Sharp said. “My daughter was my mission partner, and we did it together.”
She supports the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville and encourages other women to go after their goals confidently.
“There were so many times growing up that people made me question what I wanted to do,” Sharp said. “Much of what I’ve done has been in a ‘man’s world’—and it’s cool to make an impact.”
For Laurie Jarvis, cheerleading helped her break out of her shell. A self-described introvert, she found confidence through performance, eventually cheering for five seasons with the Jaguars after multiple audition attempts.
“I tried out three times,” Jarvis said. “When it comes to entrepreneurship—we can’t give up. We always have to evolve and find a way.”
Today, Jarvis is co-owner of Cool Moose Café, a mom of two, and is starting a new career in medical sales. But her biggest passion is mentorship.
“That’s my heart,” she said. “You need to get mentored, and you need to be a person that mentors.”
Jarvis recalled a moment after a speaking event when a young man told her he wanted to become a fashion designer.
“He said, ‘You’re the first person that believed in me,‘” Jarvis recalled. “That stuck with me.”
Through education, community service, and business, these three women continue to embody the spirit that once energized stadium crowds—proving that the impact of the ROAR doesn’t end when the game does.