Isabel Dwyer of Merrimack was recently selected to represent New Hampshire in the National Miss Teen Volunteer America Pageant in Jackson, Tenn. next month. Courtesy photo

MERRIMACK – Isabel Dwyer of Merrimack was recently selected to represent New Hampshire in the National Miss Teen Volunteer America Pageant from March 5-7 in Jackson, Tenn.

A senior at Bishop Guertin High School, Dwyer has overcome two concussions. She went on to launch Stop the Collision: Concussion Awareness, an initiative designed to educate young athletes about the long-term impact of brain injuries.

During a 2024 interview with the Brain Injury Association of America, Dwyer said she suffered her first concussion when she was hit by a basketball during her sixth grade gym class.

“My symptoms were not that bad,” she said. “I experienced a headache and sensitivity to light for a couple of weeks and then was pushed back into cheer before nationals in Florida.”

Her second concussion happened during her sophomore year — this time, it was a much different story.

Dwyer said she was holding another cheerleader in a one leg extension. The other cheerleader lost her balance and hit Dwyer in the head.

“The next morning, I had a bruise on my forehead,” said Dwyer. “I felt dizzy and nauseous. The lights in my room felt too bright. The familiar sound of the TV, my dog barking and my family talking were suddenly much too loud.”

For years, Dwyer was trained to push through the pain and always finish strong. Therefore, she went to school with every intention of cheering at the football game that night.

“I made it through first period before I got sent home,” she said, adding that Urgent Care and her doctor both diagnosed her with a concussion.

Dwyer was still suffering the effects of her injury when she returned to school. She was also faced with the task of trying to convince her teachers and the cheerleading squad that she was legitimately hurt. With a concussion, there is no cast, scar, crutches or any other physical proof of an injury.

“Teachers did not understand that my thinking was slow and focusing made my head pound,” she said. “Some teachers simply did not understand why I could not turn in my work after a week’s extension. My teammates called me a faker and stopped talking to me.”

Although Dwyer was desperate to return to cheerleading, her teammates did not see it that way.

“I was accused of lying to get out of practice,” she said. “I visited the pediatrician weekly to reassess how I was doing. My recovery was slow, eventually I was diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome.”

As time passed, Dwyer was constantly pushed to return to cheerleading. However, her doctor warned that there would be an element of risk if she rejoined the squad too soon.

“The pressure that I felt from teammates, coaches and teachers intensified my own perception that I was a disappointment,” she said. “It led me to feeling isolated, depressed and anxious.”

Dwyer’s symptoms finally began to subside when she was halfway through her sophomore year.

“I decided to turn a negative experience into a positive,” she said of launching Stop the Collision: Concussion Awareness. “I strive to advocate for those who are or have struggled with a brain injury. I want to share my story as many times as I can to make a meaningful impact for those who are struggling.”

As part of her mission, Dwyer has gone before Congress to speak about the real dangers facing student-athletes.

In addition to cheerleading, Dwyer participates in dance and is looking to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. She also volunteers with the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Salvation Army and the American Heart Association.

Miss Teen Volunteer America is a new scholarship competition launched by Jay DeMarcus of country band Rascal Flatts. Dwyer will be the fourth Granite Stater to make a run at the crown since 2023. Other contestants have included Eliza Fisher of Pembroke, Rachel Brown of Hollis and Siena Muccioli of Nashua.