CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. -- Last Saturday, PJ Maierhofer gave the fans at Happy Valley a final performance. Before the game, Maierhofer was honored for her baton skills and school pride.

"One of the coolest things is educating people and showing people that it is a sport," said Maierhofer. "I put a lot of passion and work behind it."

Maierhofer grew up in Altoona and always dreamed of performing in front of 100,000 fans.

"I was like, I have to do that," said Maierhofer. "I was in fourth grade and looked at my mom and said that's going to be me one day."

She knows she is in the spotlight when the blue band performs. There's pressure to keep the baton from hitting the ground, but Maierhofer seems to thrive under pressure.

In high school, Penn State approached her about being the school's top majorette.

"As soon as school started in August I went to my guidance counselor and said I would like to graduate early," said Maierhofer. "She said that it was going to be tough but I told her I will make it happen."

She raised her test scores and graduated from Altoona High School on a Friday. The next day she tried out and won the role of blue sapphire. For the past five years, Maierhofer has dedicated herself to becoming the best majorette in the country.

It is said that college is the best years of your life and for Maierhofer she will be leaving with some great memories.

"Your senior year you start to take things more seriously," she said. "You start to appreciate everything. I am definitely going to miss this."

She is set to graduate with a degree in public relations, but her baton twirling days are not over. As this year's Ms. Majorette of America, Maierhofer will travel the country promoting her sport and Penn State.

"This has been an experience of a lifetime and I owe it to the people in Beaver Stadium," she said.