Purkis returns for a second season with the Saddleback Cheer squad, following in the steps of an aunt (Lauren Shroder) who was also a member of the Gaucho Girls. In high school she was a member of the dance team for four years and a member of the varsity cheer squad for two years. One of her biggest thrills in high school was traveling to Malawi, Africa, to help build a youth center.