Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers huddles with his Cyclones players
A wave of grief has swept through the Iowa State University community after heartbreaking news emerged about the passing of former cheerleader Makenzi Kern, affectionately known to friends, teammates, and supporters as “Kenz.” The announcement has left former teammates, coaches, and members of the Iowa State cheer family mourning the loss of a young woman remembered not only for her athletic spirit, but for the warmth and kindness she brought to everyone around her.
The devastating news was shared in an emotional statement by the Iowa State cheer program, which described Kern as “a beautiful soul” whose light and spirit made a lasting impact on the program. While details surrounding her passing have not been publicly disclosed, the message made one thing clear: Kenz’s influence extended far beyond performances on the sidelines.
For those who knew her, Makenzi Kern was far more than a cheer alum. She represented the heart of what team culture is supposed to be commitment, encouragement, energy, and unwavering support. In competitive collegiate cheer, where trust and chemistry are everything, teammates often become family. That bond is exactly what made this loss feel especially painful for the Iowa State community.
“Once a part of our cheer family, always a part of our cheer family,” the program wrote in its tribute, a line that has resonated deeply across social media. Those words captured the enduring connection between Kern and the program she once proudly represented. Even after stepping away from active competition, her legacy clearly remained woven into the identity of the team.
Cheerleading at the collegiate level demands more than crowd energy and choreography. It requires discipline, strength, and a willingness to trust others in high-pressure moments. Athletes train for hours to perfect routines, stunts, and synchronized performances that often go unnoticed by casual spectators. For alumni like Kern, those experiences create lifelong relationships built on resilience and shared purpose.
Former teammates and members of the cheer community have continued sharing tributes, memories, and messages of support since the announcement. Many have spoken about her infectious smile and uplifting presence. Others recalled the way she could bring calm to stressful moments, whether during practice, travel, or game-day preparation.
That kind of presence can’t be measured by statistics or trophies.
Instead, it lives in small moments—the encouraging words before a performance, the laughter during long practice sessions, the supportive embrace after difficult days. Those are often the memories teammates carry longest, and by all accounts, Kern created many of them.
At Iowa State University, school spirit has always been central to the game-day experience. Cheerleaders play a critical role in energizing crowds, supporting athletes, and helping create the atmosphere that defines college sports. Alumni who dedicate years to that mission often leave behind a legacy that extends far beyond the sidelines.
Kern’s story is a reminder of something bigger than sports.
College athletics often celebrates victories, championships, and standout performances, but moments like this reveal the human side of sports—the relationships, shared struggles, and emotional connections that truly define a program. The passing of a teammate or alum forces communities to reflect on how much people matter beyond the uniforms they wear.
As tributes continue to pour in, one theme remains constant: gratitude.
The Iowa State cheer program expressed deep appreciation for the time Kern spent with the team, emphasizing how meaningful her presence was to those around her. Their message also extended love and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, teammates, and everyone grieving this unimaginable loss.
“Her memory will continue to live on in our hearts, on the sidelines, and in the bond we all share,” the statement read.
Those words now carry enormous weight.
For many in the Iowa State community, game days may never feel exactly the same. Certain chants, traditions, or sideline moments may now bring memories of Kenz rushing back. In that way, her legacy endures not just through words, but through the everyday culture she helped shape.
Loss leaves silence, but memory fills that silence with meaning.
Makenzi “Kenz” Kern may no longer be physically present, but her impact remains deeply rooted in the people and program she touched. Her spirit will continue to live through stories shared by teammates, through traditions carried forward by future cheerleaders, and through the lasting bond of a community that refuses to forget.
Forever grateful for her time at Iowa State, the cheer family now carries her memory forward one chant, one game, and one shared remembrance at a time.
