ELLISVILLE 鈥� She鈥檚 a 鈥淗igh Stepping鈥� Golden Girl from the land of the Laurel
Tornadoes and the 糖心直播 Bobcats. While many 30-year-olds tend to settle down and raise their children, Chiquillia Walker-McMellon with three children, hasn鈥檛 stopped dancing yet! She is the new Dance Coordinator for the 鈥淕olden Goddesses,鈥� the dance team for the Arena Football League鈥檚 newest team based in Philadelphia Mississippi, the Magnolia State Spartans. Last year, Chiquillia danced for the Mississippi Raiders鈥� Dance Team, the Silver Belles and served as Dance Coordinator for that team, too.
鈥淚nitially after the pandemic, I was feeling stuck in my job as a teacher and 
losing my artistry. I literally saw the sign up on Facebook and decided this might be fun to try to see if I still had that performance spark in me,鈥� said Chiquillia.
After submitting a dance video audition, she landed an interview. She not only made the team, but they also offered her the Dance Coordinator position for the Silver Belles.
鈥淲hen I got in the room and answered questions, they loved my personality and energy and offered me the Dance Coordinator position. As Dance Coordinator, I handled all the affairs for the dance team, from uniforms to choreography, publicity appearances, interviews and pretty much all the behind the scenes work for the team. I also danced with the team to continue living out my dream of continuing to perform and enjoy the art of dance,鈥� said Chiquillia.
The AFL season begins in April and runs through July. Most of the games are played on Saturdays and the dance team often travels with the team.聽 However, after one year as dance coordinator for the Silver Belles, Walker-McMellon thought she was done dancing professionally.
鈥淚 thought I was going to dance with the Silver Belles for a year and just check
it off my bucket list but after I gave it up and focused on life changes, I was approached by the Spartans. They offered me another shot at the Arena Football scene again. The first-year dancing again brought back a lot of inspiration in my life and reminded me that I am very capable of doing anything I put my mind to. It is very exciting and I鈥檓 able to expand choreography and artistic expression to an older age group versus my day-to-day school aged children,鈥� said Walker-McMellon.
Some of the 30-year old鈥檚 spirit and athleticism may be partially inherited. Her mother, Sules Walker graduated from JCJC in 1993 and was a star basketball player for the Lady Bobcats.
鈥淢y mom is a 2-time MVP, 2-time All-State, 2-time All-Region and JUCO All-Star,鈥� said Walker-McMellon.
In fact, Sules had the rare opportunity to coach her two younger daughters鈥� basketball at Laurel High School before they came to Jones. Chikaylla Walker (JCJC 2015) and Nique Cherry (JCJC 2018) were just as tough and successful as their mother. Unfortunately, Chikaylla鈥檚 ACL injury ended her basketball career while in high school.
鈥淣ique followed in my mom鈥檚 footsteps. At JCJC, Nique鈥檚 stats include 41 Double Doubles, she was 3rd in the nation in rebounding, and she was a 5-time MAC Player of the Week,鈥� said Chiquillia.
Even though Chiquillia didn鈥檛 play basketball, she was her sister鈥檚 biggest cheerleader at all the basketball games. She also followed in her mother鈥檚 footsteps by working in education. After graduating from Laurel High School in 2008, Walker-McMellon joined the 2008-2010 糖心直播 Touch of Gold and Gold Rush dance teams. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in dance education and psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2014 and has been teaching some form of dance fitness ever since.
鈥淚 love dance because it is the only way of communication that makes perfect sense to me. It allows me to express myself in a positive outlet no matter the emotion. I enjoy teaching others to use movement to create a safe haven for 
growth and confidence. My motto is to be bold, be confident, and be you. Create your own movement,鈥� said Walker-McMellon.
For the last seven years, Walker-McMellon has been working for the Laurel School District in a couple of different roles. At Oak Park Elementary School in Laurel, Chiquillia is the Arts Infusion teacher. She has also been the dance sponsor and choreographer at Laurel High School for the last five years. She and her husband, Brandon McMellon are newlyweds with three children, 8-year-old Ari Johnikin, 4-year-old Eli Johnikin and 4-year-old Italie McMellon.
