Rising Stunt Star Autumn Milburn Commits To Vanguard

Autumn Milburn commits to Vanguard University, for their STUNT program that competes at the NCAA Division II level to continue her training and compete. From four years old, Milburn talks about her background in cheer and what her move means for her new chapter.

By: Ariana Lopez Salguero

For Autumn Milburn, ’26, cheer has never been just an extracurricular, but a lifelong anchor. She has been cheering since she was four years old, and from that moment, she never considered stepping away.

Milburn fell in love with the energy and rigor of the sport early on. “I adored the competitiveness of cheer and being able to show off her skills that would be practiced over time,” said Milburn.

Cheerleading also runs deep in her family. Her biggest influences in her cheer development growing up would be her “mom and aunts.”

She says, “They all loved cheer. My aunt was a cheerleader, my grandma was a cheerleader so it was really big in our family.”

As Milburn began advancing, she didn’t only find support at home but through the people the sport brought her. “My coaches and team helped me reach the next level by putting in a lot of work and helping me with recruitment. Whether it was filming videos, they were being very encouraging.”

Managing cheer, academics, and personal life is a challenge for any student-athlete, especially during recruitment season. Milburn admits the process wasn’t easy. Milburn says “I feel like a lot of it is time management since every single one is a lot of time, it is a challenge. But in the en, everything always ended up working out well.”

Other colleges were in states like Idaho and Tennessee, but one school pulled ahead early. “Vanguard really stuck out to me because of the team that it had, and the coaching staff were all very lovely,” Milburn said. “The school itself is just amazing and it was my top choice. Especially because it has a really good nursing program.”

One detail many people don’t know about Milburn is that she has seven siblings, and is the oldest. For her, the commitment to Vanguard wasn’t just a personal victory. It was a meaningful moment for both her family and Redwood High School.

Milburn explained that this next step in her cheer career carries a weight far beyond a simple college commitment. For her it represents both a personal milestone and a breakthrough moment for Redwoods Cheer program.

“This commitment means a lot to me because it is the first out of the Redwood Cheer program that has been committed to a school like this,” she said, noting how meaningful it felt to open that door for the athletes who will come after her.

“It was exiting and at the same time, it showed all the hard work that I put in in order to get where I am. And my family saw that hard work too and it’s just an involvement for my entire family that I’m going at the next level, that cheering really did a lot for me in the end.”

Autumn Milburn ’26

Natalie Martin said she is “very excited for Autumn,” explaining that Vanguard’s proximity to her own parents offers reassurance during the transition. “Vanguard is close to my parents so we can see her more often,” she said.

Mrs. Martin described the relationship she shares with her daughter as deeply connected. “Yes, very often, I’ll talk to her on the phone,” she said. “We are super close, so I’m going to miss her a lot.”

She characterized Milburn as a naturally responsible and compassionate leader within their household. “She is very driven, kind and loving. She’s the oldest, so she takes care of all her siblings. She’s very wise,” Martin said.

To Mrs. Martin, those qualities have long shaped Milburn’s character. While acknowledging the difficulty of watching her leave home, Mrs. Martin emphasized the confidence she has in Autumn’s character and readiness for the next stage.

Myronee Diaz, the Head Cheer Coach of Redwood High school has been coaching Autumn since she began her cheer leading journey as a young girl.

Diaz says “Autumn has been a flyer for many years. She takes correction when given and has a great attitude. Shes coachable and a team player. Every team needs those athletes. Shes always been a great asset to the team. She definitely someone younger athletes should look up to.”

Diaz emphasized Milburn’s growth, noting that he progression wasn’t accidental. “Autumn has improved over the years it’s evident in her skill level. With that takes practice and she’s been putting in the work at practice and on her own,” she said.

“If you want something it’s important to not just show up for practice. Autumn has always had the potential for greatness. She had a goal and has done all the things to make sure she achieved that goal. College was definitely gonna be her next step as an athlete.”

Myronee Diaz, Head Cheer Coach of Redwood High School

Diaz added that Milburns mindset sets her apart. “Autumn is one of those athletes you think, wow I could definitely use 10 more of her. She knows her position is just as important as the girls thar hold her up. Shes respectful and understands it’s not just about being in the air. Lots goes into being a flyer than you think. I don’t put pressure on my athletes we give them the tools they need to succeed and what they do with them is up to them and she’s gone above and beyond Autumn has a great support system of coaches both at Redwood and outside of us.”

Diaz said that her pride goes beyond athletic accomplishments. “I’m extremely proud of her as a coach and so glad I’ve been able to see her grow,” she said. “Autumn will be missed not just because she’s a great athlete but because she’s been a great teammate and just an amazing person. She’s an awesome young lady. I’ll definitely miss our little inside jokes and talks the most.”

As Milburn prepares to take her talent to Vanguard University, she carries with her the legacy of her family, her team, and the Redwood cheer program. For the younger athletes reading, she is both a ranger and a reminder of what dedication can achieve.

And for Milburn, the next chapter is just beginning.

Tags: cheer, Commited, rangers, recruitment, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood rangers, redwood sports, rhs, stunts