I started doing tumbling privates by the age of six, and I worked my way up to being on an all-star cheerleading team by the age of eight.
I enjoyed every minute of being on a competitiveĀ cheerleading team. I loved the exaggerated hair and makeup, the intensity of practices, and having another group of friends that didnāt go to my school. Now that I am older, and I have officially declared myself retired, I oftenĀ think back on my days as a cheerleader. A typical weekend at a cheerleading competition was filled with early mornings and late nights, and it went a little like this:
We always arrived at the hotel the night before
the competition. This time was used to practice before we competed in
front of the judges the next day. We also spent this time sewing in our
hairpieces on the top of our heads andĀ slicked back with hair spray.Ā
Wake up call was always very early. Breakfast
typically consisted of eating a muffin while our makeup was being done. Our
makeup was always very extreme and over the top, with pounds of glitter, eye
liner, and fake eye lashes. Putting on our uniforms was always a chore. Getting
them over our hair was very difficult. The uniforms were very itchy and
uncomfortable when I was younger, but as I started to get older and our
uniforms changed they became easier to work with.Ā
After we finished getting ready in our hotels
rooms, we would always run to meet with the team. Our coaches were very strict; being late was not an option. They would have us go through
our routine and we would secretly do our stunts throughout the hotel because it
was forbidden. Many teams walked through the hotel to check out the competition,
therefore our coaches wanted us to show off our skills by throwing our standing
back tucks on concrete. This was done at every competition. If you didnāt land
your tumbling, you can expect the coaches to be upset.Ā
The practice mat can be horrifying, to say
the least. All of the teams you are competing against are doing their routines around
you. We were instructed not to look at other teams while they practiced. We
held our heads high and we acted like their routine didnāt matter to us, when
in reality our stomachs were dropping. If we did well on the practice mat we, typically, did just as well on the stage, but when our routine went downhill
right before stepping in front of the judges, it caused many girls to be
stressed out and nervous.Ā
Changing the routine right before going on stage
was expected. After looking at the other teams, the coaches would always change
our jump or tumbling sequence. Many of us worried that we would forget about
the change in the middle of the routine. If this actually were to happen, we
would be done for.Ā
As we waited in line for our turn to step on stage
to show the judges what we have been practicing for months, our stomachs wouldĀ turn.
The time waiting in line was only about 10 minutes, yet it felt like an
eternity. We are filled with butterflies, going over the routine in our heads
to make sure we donāt miss a step. We take the stage waving to the audience,
smiling from ear to ear. The music starts and our hearts drop. The minute we
hit that routine, with no mistakes, is the feeling of a lifetime. It is the
feeling of knowing that our hard work has paid off and that practice
truly does make perfect.Ā
That night we practice even more then we did
that morning, to prepare for the next day, where we repeat this vicious cycle. Ā Ā
When the awards ceremony rolls around we are
relieved because we are finished competing for the weekend. It was now up to
the judges. Every team on the mat is hoping for that overall title.
Competition weekends were always very tiring for everyone. The minute I got
home from being out of town I was anxious to get the makeup off my face and the
fake hair off my head. However, the lipstick always stained my lips and I was
always questioned about itĀ at school the next day. Ā Ā Ā
Now that I am older and officially retired, I think back on
these weekends because they made up my childhood years. I have realized the
impact that competitive cheerleading has made on my life. Ā Ā Ā
Through my time as a cheerleader, I learned important life
lessons that I couldnāt have learned anywhere else. It taught me that
practicing is essential, landing a tumbling sequence always took a lot of time
and perseverance before it was perfect. Confidence is key when it comes to
competing in front of the judges. If you werenāt confident then you wouldnāt
hit the routine. I also learned to keep a positive attitude and to be tough
when it came to getting hurt. Although many say that cheerleading is not a
sport, I had my fair share of sprained ankles and broken arms.
Though
cheerleading is filled with many ups and downs, I wouldnāt change my experience
for the world. I miss my years as a competitive cheerleader, more than anything.
I can only hope that when I have children, that they find something
that they love and become passionate about, like I felt about cheerleading.